Archie Gray is the gem of the new Leeds United. Still only 17, the midfielder has broken into the side under Daniel Farke this season and Ethan Ampadu has told The 72 he is excited at Gray’s potential.
Leeds lost Adam Forshaw, Tyler Adams, Marc Roca and Weston McKennie in the summer. The club’s four central midfield options for last season. Major midfield surgery was required in the last window.
Ampadu has become the first one on the team sheet after his £7m move from Chelsea. Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev have joined Leeds from Rangers and Werder Bremen – and Gray has broken into the side.
There are our four replacements. But what is surprising, is how quickly Gray has taken to senior football – and playing alongside Ampadu. He is touted to become a future England star, in the Premier League.
Ampadu was asked about his midfield partner – albeit, for the first seven Championship games, with Kamara coming in for the last couple. Ampadu is excited, but does not want to hype him up too much.
“I’ve been very impressed. Me and him get on quite well. He’s young, but he doesn’t play like a young man, he’s experienced. I don’t want to speak too much of him, he’ll probably get too excited about it.
“His performances have shown everyone what he can do but he also knows that he’s still at the start of his career and he’s still got a long way to go. Anything I can do to try and help him with that I will.”
Ethan Ampadu excited by potential of Leeds talent Archie Gray
What a gem we have on our hands. Gray is going to go far in his career but given he is still only 17 and has such a legacy at this club, you would like to imagine he will want to stay put for a few years yet.
Perhaps by then, Leeds will be able to match his ambition. Return to the Premier League and give Gray the platform of being able to shine week in, week out in the best league in the world. Promotion, first.
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