Tottenham already have ‘first name on the team sheet’ vs Leeds United amid Archie Gray claim
Archie Gray will be gunning for a place in the Tottenham starting XI for Saturday’s trip to face Leeds United.
The England U21 international quickly became a key player during his debut campaign for the N17 outfit last term, as injuries stretched Ange Postecoglou’s squad to the very edge of its capabilities.
However, the same cannot be said for the youngster this term, as Gray hasn’t started a league game for Tottenham since the 3-1 win over Burnley on the opening day of the season.
Saturday’s trip to Elland Road will be a special occasion for the midfielder as he returns to his boyhood club for the first time, and Thomas Frank will undoubtedly already have his team selection in mind.
Archie Gray won’t get into Tottenham midfield vs Leeds United
There is no question that Gray has a huge future ahead of him at Tottenham, but he is certainly finding it difficult to break into Frank’s plans at the moment.
The Leeds academy graduate notched 28 Premier League appearances in his maiden taste of the top flight last term, but has been limited to just a single minute of league action since the opening day victory.
- Gray started exactly half of Spurs’ league games in 2024-25
- He has played just 72 minutes across their opening six Premier League outings this term
- By contrast Lucas Bergvall, who is the same age, has played 367 minutes
Gray has quickly fallen behind the likes of Joao Palhinha in the pecking order, while Lucas Bergvall’s continued emergence is seemingly doing him no favours.
Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that he won’t get to start this weekend either, despite the sentiment of him returning to the club where it all began.
“For me, Palhinha is basically the first name on the team sheet at the minute. I just think he makes such a difference in all aspects of the game,” Wenham said.
“But for Leeds away, I want to see us on the front foot, so I personally would be starting with Palhinha, Pape Sarr, and then Rodrigo Bentancur.
“Gray would have to come in really for one of Sarr or Bergvall, and I think that makes us a little bit more defensive than I want to see us go. I want to see us go to Leeds and dominate and win the game.”
Tottenham may have to explore Archie Gray loan move
Gray is an exciting young talent for Tottenham, but he will never reach his true potential if his struggle for gametime continues as it has of late.
The 19-year-old went from being a regular in West Yorkshire to being thrown in the deep end in North London, and although he wasn’t perfect last term, he showed plenty of positive signs for such a young player.
However, if he continues to receive little more than a handful of minutes here and there, then it surely makes sense for him to head out on loan in January.
A brief stint at the lower end of the Premier League could be ideal to help Gray get his confidence back and to ensure his development resumes effectively.
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