Harry Gray to become victim of Leeds United success, here’s why
Harry Gray is comfortably Leeds United’s brightest prospect.
Leeds United welcome Man City to Elland Road on Saturday, in one of the 11 remaining Premier League fixtures this season.
Heading into the clash, the Whites sit six points above the drop zone, knowing that two or three more wins are likely all it will take to secure their status in the top flight.
And while that will be a huge achievement for Daniel Farke and his players, it will also serve as somewhat of a blow to several of their up-and-coming prospects, including Gray himself.
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What would Premier League safety mean for Harry Gray?
At just 17 years old, it’s hardly uncommon for Gray to have had very few minutes under Farke.
The teenager is currently out on loan at Rotherham, where he is looking to get up to speed with senior football.
However, the chances of him getting any minutes at Elland Road next season are largely going to hinge on which division they are in, and as things stand, you would certainly back Leeds to be in the Premier League.
And if that were to be the case, Gray would then be contending with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha and almost certainly a new striker addition in the summer, if he is to get any look in.
Admittedly, that doesn’t look good for him, and it would mean that another loan spell to the EFL would beckon.
How would this change the future of other Thorp Arch prospects?
Breaking into the first team of a club, establishing themselves in the Premier League, is a lot harder than breaking into the side of a team who are in the Championship.
But that is looking like the fate that awaits several young Leeds stars this summer.
The Whites will invest further in the transfer window, pushing the likes of Gray and Alfie Cresswell even further down the pecking order.
So how do they break through? It’s simple, on paper.
These youngsters need to be playing at the highest level possible in the Championship before Farke will even consider integrating them. And for many of them at Thorp Arch, that could be years away yet.
Fans can visit Football Insider for more updates on Leeds United and their youth stars.