Leeds starlet should follow example of ‘phenomenal’ teammate and ignore interest from PL clubs – opinion

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Leeds United’s youngsters should be using Archie Gray as an example to follow in their careers.

At just 17, Gray is already a key part of the first team picture at Elland Road, starting 11 of Leeds’ 13 matches in all competitions.

Granted not everyone who progresses through the academy at Leeds can be as talented as Gray, but he has not had his shortage of top clubs tracking him in his young career so far.

According to the Athletic in 2022, Manchester City have already shown interest in his signature but nothing has gone beyond that as of yet.

Instead, Gray signed his first professional deal in March and is now reaping the rewards for staying loyal with regular first team football, prompting pundits like Jermaine Beckford to hail him as ‘phenomenal’.

Gorman should follow Gray footsteps at Leeds

One youngster in particular who should look to emulate Gray is Finlay Gorman, with the Yorkshire Evening Post reporting Man City are at the front of the queue for his signature.

Gorman has already gone viral on social media from some of his clips in matches, and at 14 is already a regular in Leeds’ U18s side.

Clearly Gorman is an incredible prospect but moving to Man City would only move the prospect of first team football another few years away.

City have arguably the best academy in English football at the moment with their facilities and coaching staff some of the best around.

They have a track record in recent years of developing players so they are ready for first team football, before then selling them on for significant profit. Romeo Lavia, Shea Charles and James Trafford are clear examples of that.

And while that is a route into the senior game, staying at Leeds like Gray has done and continuing on his current pathway would surely be a quicker way in.