George Overhill

Sat 8 July 2023 7:10, UK

Daniel Farke will be after midfield recruitment at Leeds United this summer but youngsters Darko Gyabi and Archie Gray are in line for a chance next season, says Phil Hay.

With Weston McKennie long-gone, Marc Roca headed for a Real Betis move, Adam Forshaw yet to return to training after his contract ran out, and Tyler Adams the subject of wide transfer interest the entire set of established Whites options from last season could be gone this summer.

Gyabi, 19, came the opposite direction as Kalvin Phillips left for Manchester City a year ago and Hay “definitely” expects him to be pushed through after just three senior appearances last term, while The Athletic journalist is stunned by the physical development of Gray, 17, and feels he could be set for his first-team debut under the new manager.

In the Friday edition of The Square Ball podcast (7 July, 23m 55s) Hay said: “Archie Gray, he just seems to come from the genetically modified school of Erling Haaland. Every time you see him he gets taller and bigger. He looks like he’s about 25 when he’s actually 17. He’s just physically amazing and also technically very good.

“How hard and how far you could push him in what really would be his first professional season in the Championship is a question that Farke would have to answer. I suspect Gyabi is a bit more ready for that. But very, very talented, and again, somebody that you would like to see play if he can.

“But I think beyond that, with Farke putting a lot of importance on that combination of two midfielders, assuming the formation is the same as it was before [at Norwich], I think he would want recruitment there.”

Graduation

There were high hopes for both the Leeds United talents to get opportunities last season, especially when Jesse Marsch was espousing sustained positivity on all the Thorp Arch youngsters.

In the end relatively little was forthcoming for any of them, with the likes of Cody Drameh and Joe Gelhardt eventually departing on loan in January, and the American sacked soon after.

By the time the midfield became a notable problem position following Adams’ injury the relegation battle was well and truly on and neither Javi Gracia or Sam Allardyce saw fit to throw the two teenagers in.

Gyabi surely has to get a proper opportunity in the Championship since if a relegation and the possibility of all the options in front of him leaving doesn’t open the door for him then it is hard to see what would.

And if Gray is such a physical marvel for his age then some of the usual fears regarding players so young fighting it out in a tough league like the Championship shouldn’t be so pressing, and his breakthrough seems logically not far off either.

Even if Forshaw does return Farke likely needs to sign at least one senior option, as the veteran Englishman’s injury record is extensive, and the two youngsters can’t shoulder the full load for an entire season immediately.

But fans are sure to want to see more of both and after a succession of first-team bosses largely overlooked youth perhaps the former Norwich boss can reverse that trend and bring through some of the talented prospects from Thorp Arch.

In other Leeds United news, a long-term Elland Road-linked ace has entered the picture as one expected Whites departure appears to have hit the skids.