Archie Gray has been linked with a surprise Tottenham exit Tottenham just a few months on from completing a transfer from Leeds United. Spurs parted ways with roughly £30million to sign the 18-year-old with Joe Rodon heading to Elland Road on a permanent basis.
He has played just 581 minutes of football since making the switch with the bulk of that arriving out of position in the Europa League. Gray has been deployed in every role part of the back four but is yet to make a competitive appearance in the centre of midfield, his preferred position.
Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-game domestic ban could help his case to be utilised in the centre of the pitch with Postecoglou a huge fan of his versatility. “I thought Archie Gray was brilliant today. We asked him to play two different positions and he just adapts and handles it,” he said after the 2-1 Europa League win against Ferencvaros.
Despite that, links over a possible short-term loan back to the Whites, in order to play more regularly, has been suggested. With that being said, football.london has taken a look at Gray’s immediate future and the dilemma facing Postecoglou.
Kieran Horn
On paper, Gray heading back to his old club on a temporary basis for just a few months could benefit both him and Postecoglou in the long-term. Gray has impressed in his appearances for Spurs but has on occasion looked slightly off the pace because of his lack of consistent minutes.
With that being said, the value Gray brings to Tottenham cannot be overlooked and thus allowing him to go elsewhere for a few months will be the wrong call. Just a few injuries in some positions will greatly expose a lack of depth and Gray’s ability to play in multiple positions is crucial.
Gray may be becoming impatient because of his start to life in north London but there is plenty of time for him to make an impact and he could now show Postecoglou what he is missing. Yves Bissouma will likely be ahead of him in the pecking order, but more cameo appearances, particularly in the Premier League, could follow.
Lee Wilmot
Archie Gray is just 18 years of age, that should not be forgotten. The fact that he played 50-odd games for Leeds last season belies that teenage status somewhat.
He should not be rushed, as much as a number of supporters want to see him take regularly to the pitch.
He is settling into a new team and getting used to a new, better standard of football. He will be a superstar, that is the common feeling amongst those who have seen him play and Spurs fans naturally cannot wait to see that in the Lilywhite shirt.
I would like to see him in the midfield, that’s his natural position despite the number of appearance for Leeds at right-back. And with Rodrigo Bentancur banned now for seven matches, he might well get more of an opportunity.
Sending him back to Leeds on loan makes no sense to me. He’s already had a full season in the Championship and I’m not sure what he will gain from that now. Staying in the Premier League with Spurs and staking his claim will be the best thing for him.
Amie Wilson
Gray’s versatility means that he is a valuable member of Ange Postecoglou’s squad. The fact that he can provide cover in several different positions is something that Spurs might have to call on this season, dependent factors such as injuries and form.
It’s hard to forget that Gray is just 18-years-old, so while he may not yet be a regular in the Premier League, he is still learning in training every day. He will also be benefitting from the minutes he is getting in the Europa League.
For Spurs, it would not make sense to send him back to Leeds on loan, and the preferable option would be to keep him in and around the Tottenham squad fro the rest of the season. However, if the player himself is desperate for more game time, then a loan deal to a lower Premier League club could be an option to get him more minutes in the league, but that won’t be the ideal scenario for Spurs.
Matty Hewitt
Seeing Gray linked with a move away from Tottenham Hotspur came as a surprise to me, especially given how quickly that speculation has come about since his summer move. The youngster is still getting to grips with life in the top flight at just 18-years-old.
He was one of the standout performers in the Championship last season, so it’s understandable why a return to Leeds United would make sense. However, given Bentancur’s aforementioned suspension, Gray is primed and ready to slot into midfield.
The versatile midfielder has all the tools to be able to play in the Premier League and staying with Ange Postecoglou’s side would be far more beneficial for his development. Especially if Spurs go deep in domestic competitions handing Gray plenty of opportunities to play,
Spurs pulled off a huge coup in signing him in the summer, but it’s worth remembering just how young he is and that he’s a long-term project.
Jack Flintham
Going back to your old stomping ground can often fell like a wise idea especially for a play like Gray who has such a close affiliation with Leeds. However, I don’t necessarily think a move back to the Championship is beneficial.
Even in his fleeting appearances for Tottenham since moving to North London, the teenager has held his own in the Premier League and surely that should point towards a loan to a lower half Premier League club making more sense for his development.
His development would come on leaps and bounds at a club like Brentford or Bournemouth where he could play more regularly. Perhaps even a move to La Liga, Serie A or the Bundesliga could work.
A switch to a new country can be a culture shock but it has often proved fruitful for those who have taken that path. Unless Postecoglou wishes to integrate him regularly between now and the end of the season, a loan until the end of the season in January makes the most sense.
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