Jamie Redknapp ‘feels sorry’ for Archie Gray after Tottenham news
Tottenham star Archie Gray has featured more than expected since his summer move from Leeds United, and Jamie Redknapp feels sorry for him.
The 18-year-old has featured 30 times in all competitions after a brutal injury crisis rocked the Lilywhites.
Ange Postecoglou has used the young star as a makeshift right-back, centre-back, and left-back despite him naturally being a central midfielder.
The Spurs star has impressed despite being played out of position in most of his maiden campaign but could do nothing to prevent a 4-0 loss at Liverpool on Thursday to crash out of the Carabao Cup.
Redknapp ‘feels sorry’ for Tottenham star
Former Spurs star Redknapp admitted that the circumstances of the youngster’s rise to stardom have been challenging, mostly playing out of position.
Speaking on Sky Sports (6 February), Redknapp said: “Every challenge that gets thrown at him, he seems to handle it.
“Part of you feels sorry for him but you can’t do because he is playing Premier League football, getting amazing experience but I think if you asked him where does he want to play, he would say centre-midfield.”
Archie Gray can continue to star for Spurs
The former Leeds ace was forced to start at right-back against Liverpool in the second leg defeat of the EFL Cup semi-final on Thursday (6 February).
Defensive injuries are still wreaking havoc on Spurs’ season with the likes of Guglielmo Vicario, Christian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin and Destiny Udogie ruled out against the Reds.
The Australian did have new signing Kevin Danso available to bolster his backline and with starting right-back Pedro Porro on the bench, Postecoglou could have played Gray in midfield.
However, his faith in the youngster meant that he was comfortable with giving the Spaniard a rest despite the implications of a loss.
Dominic Solanke and James Maddison are also out with injury so it was always a hard task for the North Londoners.
A loss felt disastrous given the lack of fight, with Spurs sitting 14th in the Premier League, a cup final represented a rare chance at success in a tough season.
Postecoglou looks to have blown the chance to win a first trophy since 2008, and the pressure surrounding his future in North London will only increase.