Archie Gray can hold head high after Tottenham loss vs Crystal Palace – here’s why
Tottenham sunk to their latest low on Thursday night against Crystal Palace.
Igor Tudor is already facing sack talk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and that’s only set to ramp up following the 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Thursday.
It was an evening that saw Tottenham well and truly shoot themselves in the foot, after Dominic Solanke had given Spurs a 34th-minute lead.
However, Micky van de Ven’s straight red card and concession of a penalty just four minutes later turned the game on its head, as Ismaila Sarr levelled from the spot.
Palace then had the game won before half-time, with Jorgen Strand Larsen and Sarr netting again to make it 3-1, as many Lilywhites fans flocked to the exits, refusing to watch anymore.
Archie Gray was excellent for Tottenham against Crystal Palace
Tottenham now remain rooted to 16th in the Premier League, passing up yet another big opportunity to start pulling away from the threat of relegation, which they now only separate themselves from by a single point.
On a night where very few Spurs players covered themselves in any kind of glory, especially in defence, there was one in that department who can hold his head high: Archie Gray.
It can be easy to forget just how young Gray is, because at 19, he’s already played over 70 times for Tottenham and turned out over 50 times for Leeds United prior.
A midfielder by trade who has often found himself operating on the right flank of defence, the England youth international has been enjoying better individual performances this season compared to his debut one in N17 last term.
The teenager again flashed his star potential against Palace on Thursday night, in a performance that was easy to overlook given Spurs’ overall showing.
As per Sofascore, Gray took 45 touches against the Eagles, with only one being unsuccessful, won 100 per cent of his aerial duels and wasn’t dribbled past once.
He also blocked one shot, made five defensive contributions and completed 100 per cent of his dribble attempts successfully too.
- Read more: Borussia Dortmund interest proves just how talented Archie Gray is to Tottenham, if they needed it
Tottenham should look to build around Gray in defence
It goes without saying, but Tottenham’s Premier League struggles this season suggest that this squad requires major work doing to it in the summer.
Whether that be in the Premier League or the Championship, we don’t yet know, but if they are able to escape the drop this term, then making Gray the cornerstone piece of their defence of the future is a no-brainer.
The 19-year-old has all the talent to go right to the very top of the game, showing maturity beyond his years, and already having racked up significant Premier League experience.
He’s a massive talent, and if Tottenham make him the focus of their rebuild moving forward, he can be the poster boy for a brighter, and more successful Spurs side of the future.
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