Phil Hay shares what he found funny about Archie Gray reply to Marcelo Bielsa Leeds United question
Phil Hay says he Archie Gray’s confidence is “almost funny” after sharing how he reacted to a question about Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United.
The Athletic journalist shared how he interviewed the prodigious teenage talent ahead of Sunday’s (26 May) Championship playoff final against Southampton.
Bielsa, a cult hero at Elland Road having led the Whites to the Premier League in 2020, first started utilising Gray as a substitute at 15 years old, and he established himself as a first-team regular under Daniel Farke this season.
Hay, speaking on the Square Ball Podcast (25 May, 15m 30s), had this to say about the teenage talent: “I also interviewed Archie Gray on Monday, and his confidence is just almost funny.
“I sort of said to him when Bielsa was saying to you train with the first team and sit on the bench and you were 15 did you actually feel ready for it? And he just said ‘oh yeah, definitely’.
“I was like ‘alright, okay’. He’s a lovely guy, really pleasant character, he’s dead grown up and mature for 18 but he’s 100 per cent got that elite edge, not arrogance, but just this total, total confidence.”
Archie Gray key for Leeds United v Southampton at Wembley
Gray has been outstanding for Leeds this season and he can be a real difference maker with his energy and pressing ability on a huge Wembley pitch against Southampton.
Moreover, as shown by Hay’s anecdote, he may only be 18 but he has absolutely zero fear, there is just a hugely impressive confidence – a trait that could come in handy in the pressure cooker of a Championship playoff final.
Gray’s form has seen him linked with a plethora of Premier League teams but if Leeds can get the job done against the Saints then you feel there is next to no chance of them cashing in on their prized asset, nor do you get the impression there will be much clamour from the player to leave.
It will not be an easy game, of course, and the Saints have beaten twice in the league this term. But in a one-off game and with a confident Gray, Leeds will fancy their chances.
In other Leeds United news, a huge transfer admission has been made at Elland Road.
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