Jon Newsome shared what he spotted one of the Blackburn Rovers players do after the full-time whistle following the display of Archie Gray in Leeds United’s win at Ewood Park today.
Newsome was speaking on BBC Radio Leeds (broadcast on 9/12; 14:27) after Daniel Farke’s side picked up a 2-0 win to keep the pressure on the top two in the Championship.
Archie Gray kept his place at right-back for the trip to Blackburn. The 17-year-old has been a revelation in the role, really taking the pressure off of Djed Spence upon his return from injury.
Blackburn player wants shirt of Archie Gray after Leeds win
Gray has been one of the stars of the season for Leeds. It is almost remarkable that his first-team debut only came at the beginning of this campaign given how well he has adapted to life in the senior side.
Certainly, everything suggests that Archie Gray is destined for the top one way or another. And it seems that one Blackburn player was aware of how much his shirts could be worth in the future.
Jon Newsome was speaking about the Leeds manager going up to the youngster at full-time. And it was then that he noticed that one member of the opposition – which he later suggested may have been Adam Wharton – approached Gray wanting his shirt.
“Daniel Farke has got hold of Archie Gray, giving him a few words. And they will be words of positivity, they will be words of confidence and telling the lad how well he’s done,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
“There you go, that’s an example for you. One of the Blackburn players has just come up to Archie Gray and asked him can I swap shirts with you. Wants to swap shirts with a 17-year-old, what does that tell you?”
Leeds starlet heading for the top
In fairness, Wharton has played alongside Gray at England under-20 level. So if he was indeed the player to go up to him, he will have been very aware of his potential beforehand.
But there is a real buzz surrounding Gray right now. He is one of the most exciting talents in the Championship, particularly when you consider that he is a midfielder playing out of position at the moment.
Gray has spoken of his desire to win the Champions League with Leeds. Ultimately, we have got a massive task on our hands to keep him for the majority of his career.
But he is most definitely looking like a player who is going to be involved in Europe’s premier competition sooner rather than later.
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