Saturday afternoon will be an emotional one for the Gray family. It will see Archie Gray return to Elland Road for the first time since leaving Leeds United to join Tottenham Hotspur.
A little over a year ago, Gray made the emotional decision to join Tottenham after a stunning season for Leeds. A fee of £40m changed hands after more than 50 games for Leeds, and now Gray is at Spurs.
The teenage midfielder has enjoyed a turbulent 12 months at Tottenham, playing at centre-back due to a defender crisis under Ange Postecoglou, finishing in the bottom five but winning the Europa League.
With Leeds promoted, Tottenham and Gray are now direct domestic enemies and that comes to fruition on Saturday when Spurs take on Leeds at Elland Road. Gray could well be in Thomas Frank’s starting XI.
Daniel Farke discusses Archie Gray in Thursday’s press conference
It is just a week after Tyler Adams was made an enemy of Elland Road by Leeds fans. Of course, Adams’ exit was much more controversial, with Adams jumping ship as soon as the club had been relegated.
Asked about the return of Gray in Thursday’s press conference, Farke said he wouldn’t talk about a player contracted to a different club but did say he’d talk about Gray while at Leeds – and made a prediction.
“I don’t like to speak too much about players under contract with other teams. I never do this, but the time I had with Archie was a joy to work with him each and every day, to watch him develop,” he said.
“At 17, I played him each and every game, I played him over Luke Ayling which wasn’t easy. I played him in midfield over Glen Kamara. I just had the feeling he was ready. Physically and mentally, he was ready.
“He was capable; he grew and developed every day. Always willing to improve, always asking for advice, always asking to do more physically. I am pretty sure he will have a big future and a great career.”
Tottenham fans want Archie Gray to start against Leeds
Spurs were in action just this week against Bodo/Glimt in Norway. Frank’s men played out a 2-2 draw, coming back from 2-0 down. Gray had come off the bench and played a huge hand in the equaliser.
A neat bit of play with Richarlison on the edge of the area saw Gray shoot, his shot was parried onto a defender and the ball ended up in the back of the net. Tottenham fans now want Gray to start.
A start for Gray at Elland Road would be momentous, but Frank may decide the emotion is too much and decide not to include the midfielder in the starting line-up. One to keep an eye on until Saturday.
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