What Patrick Bamford’s said about Harry Gray coming true as Leeds United announcement made
Harry Gray is one of Leeds’ most promising talents at the moment.
There is significant hype around the 17-year-old among the Elland Road concourses, with fans hoping that he emulates his brother, Archie Gray.
Leeds sold the older Gray to Tottenham for £40million in 2024, but they will hope to keep hold of his sibling, and ward off potential suitors.
They are already queuing up already, with the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City interested in the Leeds sensation.
High praise for Harry Gray from Leeds icon Patrick Bamford
Patrick Bamford left Leeds this summer after seven years in LS11, and he is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the modern history of the club.
The 32-year-old has recognised Gray and the potential that he has, and made no secret of that fact when speaking to Ben Foster.
On the ‘Fozcast – The Ben Foster Podcast’ in May, Bamford said: “Harry and Archie look very, very similar; personalities couldn’t be any different. When Archie came up, quiet but just got about it. Harry is chirpy. He is proper chirpy, but in a good way.
“He’s got no problem with having one of the first-team players off. At 16! I swear. He, I think, in his head, knows he’s good. I remember when Archie was still at Leeds, I went to watch for the 18s or 21s and Harry was playing.
“I literally and he knows now because I’ve told him, but I literally went to watch just to see him. He’s good and he’s going to be decent.
“I thought, when he comes up, I’ll try to help him a little bit. It’s weird to say but he like looks up to me a little bit, so I can kind of get away with it with him a bit.
“He could be top. He’s tall, quite slim, quick, very aggressive. For how tall he is, his dribbling is a joke. He can put defenders on their backside.”
Any potential interest in Gray will have to wait, as the Peacocks have tied him down to a first professional deal, as they announced the move on 21 October.
That potentially suggests that Bamford is right, with his suggestion that he can go to the top.
At the very least, it suggests that Leeds believes that he has a future in the first team at the top level.
What have other Leeds figures said about Gray?
Whites boss Daniel Farke is a huge fan of the younger Gray, and has already handed him a first-team debut in the Championship last season, but he has urged caution with expectations
Speaking ahead of the 3-1 win over Wolves in September, he said: ”I gave Harry his debut at 16 but if I would back a manager to be brave enough to play a young player, I would pick me if I’m honest.
”I’ve said everything necessary. He needs first-team training sessions to get used to physicality.
”He needs game-time with the U21s to not lose his confidence. What he needs most is time and peace.”
- Farke gave him his senior debut in a 6-0 win over Stoke City in April 2025
- Gray has notched 15 goals in 24 matches for the Whites’ youth sides
- He is yet to feature in the Premier League
His brother Archie has also spoken about the latest Leeds prodigy in an interview with The Guardian, saying: “I wouldn’t tell him this myself, but it’s my dream to play with Harry one day.
“I just don’t know how we’d get along in training as we’re so competitive in everything we do and always have been. We’d have to be on the same team but as brothers we’re really close.”
It is a very exciting time to follow the LS11 club, as they are back where they belong after two years of trying to get back.
If Gray can become what Bamford believes he can, and emerge as a genuine option for Farke, it would be even better.
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