Harry Gray made his debut for Leeds United on Easter Monday on the same day that Daniel Farke’s side gained automatic promotion to the Premier League with a 6-0 win over Stoke City.
Great uncle Eddie Gray shed a tear on the Elland Road terraces as 16-year-old Harry Gray came off the bench late on, to the delight of Leeds fans. Supporters sang Gray’s name as he wore a huge smile.
Leeds’ no.45 is highly thought of at Elland Road after coming through the Thorp Arch academy and there is a quiet belief that he could exceed the lofty ceiling of brother Archie, who joined Tottenham for £40m.
Spurs star Archie Gray sent Harry a message after his Leeds debut, on the same day in which The Whites won promotion. Aaron Lennon was full of praise for Gray on social media, following his debut outing.
What Aaron Lennon thought of Gray after first training session
Last season, fellow Thorp Arch academy product Lennon returned to Leeds to do some coaching with the U18 side and that is where Lennon came across Gray. Beren Cross shares Lennon’s first Gray impressions.
Lennon is a player that has turned out alongside Dimitar Berbatov and Luke Modric throughout his career. Another is Gareth Bale who before retirement, was still impressing across the pond with LAFC.
Speaking to The Athletic podcast, Cross recalls how another member of the Leeds U18 coaching staff told him about Lennon’s first impressions of Gray – despite Lennon playing alongside some of the best.
“Lennon came in last season, did some youth work with the U18’s last year. I spoke to another coach who was repeating what Aaron Lennon had said. Lennon has played with the likes of Berbatov, [Robbie] Keane.
“Modric, Bale. Some of the best strikers in world football. He came in off one training session with Harry Gray and said he has got the best left foot I’ve ever seen. That is mindblowing, mindblowing praise.”
Leeds United face battle to keep Harry Gray at Elland Road
While it was brilliant to see Gray make his senior Leeds debut and his form in the second string is more than deserving of the chance he got on Saturday, the more exposure means more interest in Gray.
Tottenham are long-term admirers of Gray and the North London club could look to raid Leeds once again and take advantage of Leeds’ interest in doing a permanent deal to sign loanee Manor Solomon.
However, The 49ers stance is clear. There is no interest in letting Gray go having been forced to sell his older brother. Next up for Leeds is Bristol City at home and Gray will be hoping he is a part of it.
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