Leeds United must place faith in Harry Gray now after new announcement
Leeds United could have another generational talent on their hands as one of their greatest dynasties looks set to continue.
The Whites’ academy has a strong track record of producing stars who rise to the very top – even amid their 16 years in the wilderness they still brought through the likes of Fabian Delph and Lewis Cook.
Recent years have seen that cut-through turned up a few notches, with Kalvin Phillips becoming an integral player for England’s senior team under Gareth Southgate in their run to the final of Euro 2020.
Fellow graduate Archie Gray is expected to make his path to the top, particularly after his £40million move to Tottenham last summer, but another name off the production line is ready to make his mark.
Harry Gray earns England call after Leeds United developments
The Whites announced via X on 11 February that prolific academy striker Harry Gray – the 16-year-old younger brother of Archie – has earned his first call-up to England’s Under-17s side.
England’s Young Lions will face the Netherlands twice on February 20 and 23, and Gray has been included despite only recently returning from a back injury which he picked up in pre-season at Elland Road.
Gray has returned to fitness and form in recent weeks, coming off the bench for United’s Under-21s against Everton, scoring against Birmingham in the Premier League Cup, and starting against Chelsea.
Leeds United can’t afford to hamper Harry Gray’s inevitable rise
Gray only turned 16 back in October, and his three appearances for the Whites’ Under-21s side since his birthday have come in recent weeks – yet England still saw enough to bump him up an age group.
The youngster netted eight times for Leeds’ Under-18s last term as a 15-year-old, displaying a rich vein of form similar to his elder brother’s progression into becoming a first-team regular under Daniel Farke.
Farke’s faith in Archie – regularly starting him in defence and midfield as a 17-year-old – reflected that of Marcelo Bielsa, who famously included Gray on his bench back in December 2021, aged 15.
The younger Gray brother is also developing at a rapid rate as a hot-shot striker in the club’s youth teams, and the onus will now be on Farke to give Harry his chance once he’s deemed ready.
United failed to add attacking reinforcements despite a clamour in the winter transfer window, and this could well be a sign that if Farke is without Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford, he already knows which striker will be the next cab off the rank.