May 22, 2021. Brentford Community Stadium. Brentford’s Josh Dasilva cleared a corner from Raphinha at the near post. However, the ball fell to Jack Harrison outside the box, who unleashed a powerful low shot past David Raya.
This was no ordinary goal as it guaranteed that Leeds United would stay in the Premier League. Their future was safe. Not just in terms of survival but also in player development. Because on that day, on Leeds bench was a player who is part of the club’s future, a 16-year-old named Archie Gray.
The teenager’s name has been on the lips of every Leeds fan. In a season where they saw massive defeats, underwhelming performances and Marco Bielsa’s sacking, the rise of a player like Archie Gray was positive news.
While the youngster is still to take to the pitch in a Premier League match, the signs are promising for the youngster this season.
So, who is The Peacocks‘ new star boy?
Who is Archie Gray?
The youngster burst onto the scene last season after some impressive performances for Leeds under-23 side. He also represented the Leeds under-18 side. For the under-23 side, he made 14 appearances with one goal and one assist to his name. While for the under-18s, he made ten appearances with two goals to his name.
The player has spent his entire career at Leeds and has made rapid strides through the youth level. After his promotion to the under-23s, Gray made no delay in introducing himself by becoming the youngest goalscorer in the Premier League-2. And the goal was itself a goal of beauty as he scored from 35-yard with a Beckham-esque finish.
🤯 "You beauty! Archie Gray take a bow!" pic.twitter.com/MOOdhg9VdU
— Leeds United (@LUFC) March 15, 2022
These performances were noticed by Bielsa, who promoted him to the senior side in December against Arsenal. With this, he became the youngest-ever player to feature in a Premier League squad. However, he did not make any appearances throughout the season. Expect that to change this season.
– Cresswell is levels above
– Archie Gray is well beyond his years
– Summerville is a wizard
– Joseph gives off massive Rodrigo vibes
– Bate could do it in the PL
– Leeds were good for at least a point
– 21,000+ for U23’s is absolutely phenomenalAnd that’s that. #LUFC
— James Wightman (@James_Wightman9) April 22, 2022
Archie Gray potential
It is no secret that Gray is the golden boy for the club’s future. His rise will also be helped now that Leeds remain in the Premier League. This will ensure he gets a chance to play among the world’s best.
Leeds will indeed play him more in the under-23s level with the occasional appearance in a Premier League match to boost his confidence and help in his development. A significant downside for him this season is that Leeds under-23s have been relegated after finishing second-last in the Premier League-2. Jesse Marsch has already confirmed that Archie Gray is now a permanent member of the first-team squad.
The Peacocks also have a rich history and will need homegrown players like Gray if they want to re-establish themselves among the top teams in England, and possibly Europe.
Archie Gray stats
The sample size is small for the player due to the limited minutes he has played. However, he has scored three goals and provided two assists at the under-18 and under-23 levels. However, bossing the U23s level at the age of 16 shows that Archie Gray is destined for superstardom.
He also has one assist in the EFL Cup against Tranmere Rovers. However, with his talent and skill, he will likely post big numbers in the future.
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Style and skills of play
According to Transfermarkt, Gray has played ten times as the attacking midfielder, four times as the central midfielder and two times as the centre-forward. This shows the versatility that he possesses.
His assists for Amari Miller in the EFL Cup looked like a work of a seasoned footballer, which shows that he is mature beyond his years.
Another interesting fact is that Gray has spent almost a decade with Brazilian Soccer Schools Harrogate, learning futsal twice a week. It has helped him in improving his ball control, dribbling and passing.
pre-school sports programmes and then almost a decade at 2-3 times a week with Brazilian Soccer Schools Harrogate (now FDS H’gate). U17 England Captain, Charlie Patino (Arsenal), completed four years x 2 sessions a week with Escolla Futsal Club with the two Brazilian coaches
— Simon Darcy Clifford (@SimonDClifford) January 10, 2022
Archie Gray-Eddie Gray connection
Apart from his brilliant talent and skill, there is another thing that has got people excited. Archie Gray is the great-nephew of Leeds United legend Eddie Gray. The older Gray played his entire career at Leeds as a winger. He made 577 appearances, scoring 68 goals and winning two league titles. Eddie won a total of six trophies with Leeds. He also managed the club in the 2003-04 season, where he could not save the club from being relegated.
Archie Gray setting up his great uncle Eddie today. pic.twitter.com/KG3TMQZRM2
— FocusOnLeeds (@FocusOnLeeds) December 18, 2021
In addition, Archie’s father Andy played for the club as a forward and is now a coach in Leeds’ youth system. His grandfather Frank was a defender and played over 200 times for Leeds.
This means the kid already has the club’s DNA and could provide Leeds with the next star from the Gray family.
Future at Leeds United
Unless something dramatic happens, we can safely assume that Archie Gray is going nowhere. Archie Gray is a Leeds United kid through and through and also has family members as a part of the coaching staff at the club. So, he has a better environment to prosper and is also close to his family.
In addition, he is still 16, which means he has many flaws in his game that he will need to correct. There is no environment better for him to do so than under the adoring eyes of Leeds fans. If he does that, then maybe the fans at Elland Road will have a new hero to cheer which they need after a difficult season.