- Tottenham star comes in for huge praise
- Told he deserves recognition for season
- Spurs need to build around him
One of the only bright sparks in Tottenham Hotspur’s season has been Archie Gray and the English youngster has earned huge admiration. So much so, The Daily Mail‘s Oliver Holt believes he deserves to come second in the FWA Footballer of the Year award.
Gray has been excellent during his second season with the Lilywhites, putting in vital performances in the midst of a relegation battle. He’s still only 20 but playing with maturity beyond his years.
The young Englishman joined Spurs from Leeds United in the summer of 2024 for £30m. He arrived as a central midfielder but his versatility has seen him used in defence.
‘Marooned in Awful Team’ – Gray Hailed
That’s been the case this season with Gray playing in six different positions including defensive midfield. He’s appeared 34 times across competitions, registering two goals and three assists.
Holt gave a glowing verdict of the England U21 international while writing on his FWA Player of the Year, Bruno Fernandes. He said:
“If I could vote for a runner-up in the FWA poll, which will close next week, it would go to Archie Gray at Spurs, a young lad marooned in an awful team at a club in disarray. He is just about the only player at Tottenham whose reputation has been enhanced this season.”
Holt added:
“Sometimes, it has seemed as if Gray has been asked to play in every outfield position in the Tottenham side and he has done it with class and style, dedication to a team ethic and an ability beyond his years. What a player he is becoming.“
Spurs fans will no doubt agree with Holt’s stance over Gray, who was highly coveted when he arrived at the club. He is becoming one of the most important players in Roberto De Zerbi’s team and will be crucial to whether the Lilywhites retain their Premier League status.
‘End Up Box to Box’
Despite Gray’s incredible versatility, he will eventually need to be deployed in a permanent position which suits him best. That might well be as a box-to-box midfielder, an opinion put forward by his uncle and former Leeds United great Eddie Gray.
The legendary former Leeds winger assessed his nephew during a recent appearance on talkSPORT:
“I think he will end up being a box-to-box midfielder, that is where his strengths are because he is a great runner with the ball and he gets forward with his pace and energy. I think he will end up as a central midfielder.“
Gray will undoubtedly be desperate to soon earn a call up to England’s senior squad although the World Cup has likely come to soon. But it’s crucial that the club show ambition next season if they remain in the top flight and start recruiting players of similar quality to push up the table.
