Many Leeds United supporters would rank Archie Gray’s rise to stardom as one of the highlights of what is turning out to be an extremely successful season at Elland Road.
But, the club’s supporters may be in for more homegrown happiness when younger brother Harry is supported to join his midfielder sibling in the Whites main squad.
The forward has scored a lot of goals for the youth teams, and Phil Hay claims that because of his consistency in finding the net, he has drawn attention even more than Archie.
On March 15, The Square Ball was informed by the journalist from The Athletic that the teenager is a “really good prospect” who you “would put good money on” to make the breakthrough.
Despite just being 14 at the beginning of the season, Gray has been a member of the under-18 squad this year. On March 9, he scored his most recent goal—one of his five in seven games—against Everton.
Harry Gray is in favor of Archie joining Leeds United’s starting lineup.
Though if Harry is as good as he seems, Daniel Farke will undoubtedly have a chance. Daniel Farke is significantly more supplied in his forward line than he was in central midfield when he turned to the older Gray sibling back in the summer.
Leeds United, who had a disorganized beginning to the season, overcame it to take the lead in the Championship this past weekend. This season, Georginio Rutter, Patrick Bamford, and Joel Piroe have all filled this role.
The image is packed because Joe Gelhardt is still in the picture and Mateo Joseph, who is waiting in the wings, has impressed in the little opportunities he has had this season, especially with his first two goals against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Even if it basically comes down to nepotism, Gray will probably have an advantage over others because of his family’s history, especially with Sonny Perkins, whose career has just hit a rough patch.
Despite the crowd, the striker’s name might offer him an Elland Road chance.
It would have been wise to give Archie and Harry a look at Elland Road given the history father Andy, especially grandfather Frank and great uncle Eddie, had there. However, with the most recent Gray addition to the Leeds United first team succeeding in his first senior football campaign, there will understandably be high expectations for the next in line to follow suit.
Even while it would please supporters if Harry could perform as well as his brother did, he will surely be under a lot of pressure if and when he makes a breakthrough. As a forward who is frequently judged on goals rather than overall performance, he might need to be given some room to grow.
Leeds must make sure they hang onto him long enough for supporters to watch him, as Manchester City expressed interest in grabbing him before he can even get close to the Whites first team, just like they did with Finlay Gorman [TEAMtalk, 14 November].
In unrelated Leeds United news, it is anticipated that if the Whites are promoted to the Premier League, they would violate the new profit and sustainability regulations.
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