Archie Gray completed a £40m move to Tottenham earlier this month from Leeds United and made his debut, albeit in a pre-season friendly, on Wednesday night against Scottish side Hearts.
The 18-year-old was sold by Leeds with The Whites needing to cash in on a big-name player in order to avoid a points deduction, and to comply with Profit & Sustainability Rules ahead of the 2024-25 season.
The England U21 star featured in a training match against Cambridge United last week, playing for the second 45. But on Wednesday night, Tottenham went to Tynecastle for his side’s first pre-season game.
A fixture that Gray participated in with Leeds last season, Gray helped Tottenham cruise to a 5-1 win over their Scottish Premiership opposition. Indeed, he did so by playing the first half, in a new centre-back role.
Archie Gray posts on Instagram after helping Tottenham win
Gray is renowned for his versatility, having played mostly at right-back during 2023-24 for Leeds but also in his natural role a a central midfielder. In the play-off semi-final first leg, Gray was used as a no.10.
Other than a couple of late moves in formation that saw him play on the right side of a back three, Gray has never been considered a centre-back. But at Tynecastle, he played as a right-sided centre-back.
Not in a back three, but a back four. He was excellent, with many Tottenham fans in awe of his display given he is 18 and out of position, on social media. Gray took to Instagram after the win on Thursday.
Charlie Cresswell, Harry Gray and £40m Tottenham star react
Spurs have got themselves a wonderful talent and a player that easily has the potential to go and win himself a starting spot in the Spurs XI early on. Whether that be right-back, centre-back or in midfield.
Ange Postecoglou was full of praise as well, speaking afterwards about Gray’s intelligence even in a new role: “Intelligent kid. Archie was really good, he’s adapting to the intensity and tempo of what we do.”
Responding to Gray’s Instagram post, younger brother Harry commented: “cooking”. Charlie Cresswell also responded with the defender now at Toulouse, as did £40m Tottenham man Brennan Johnson.
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