Archie Gray has shared how Marcelo Bielsa wanted him to train every day at Leeds United even when he was still at school.
Gray was just 15 when he made the bench for the first time in Leeds’ first team, all the way back in December 2021 in a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal at Elland Road.
Bielsa was not exactly happy to be including a player so young on a Premier League bench, but the fact he did – regardless of injuries – shows how much he rated him.
In fact, Bielsa even predicted all the way back then that Gray would go onto become an ‘elite’ footballer, which based on the evidence this season, is likely to come true.
Speaking in an interview with the Guardian, Gray revealed how Leeds had to come to an agreement with his school regarding training, as Bielsa wanted him in at Thorp Arch every day.
Bielsa always knew Gray’s talent
He said: “Bielsa wanted me to train probably every day. Some weeks I’d be in school two days a week, other times it would be three days. The club and school had to come to an agreement but I passed my exams, so it worked out well.”
As mentioned, Bielsa was keen to play down the fact Gray was included in a senior Leeds squad at the age of just 15, but he would not have done it if he didn’t rate him.
Gray may well have even got a chance in the Premier League last season had it not been for injuries, but is looking right at home at the moment.
Daniel Farke has had to carefully manage him at times this season, but the performances he has been producing – even out of position at right-back – has often made him undroppable.
Hopefully Leeds will be able to enjoy Gray’s talent for many more years to come, with the potential of a long-term contract when he eventually turns 18.
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