Archie Gray made a prediction back in April regarding which Leeds United youngsters could be next off the production line.
Gray, of course, referenced his 15-year-old brother Harry, who is known to be an incredible talent and potentially even better than Archie himself.
But Harry was not the only player he mentioned and with Gray now having moved onto pastures new, all eyes are on who the next Leeds academy graduate will be to make the breakthrough.
In Gray, Jamie Shackleton and Charlie Cresswell, Leeds have actually lost the three players in the first team who had spent their youth careers progressing through the ranks at Thorp Arch.
But it would not be a Leeds squad if there wasn’t another coming through, and like Gray did last year, those pushing will be looking to use pre-season as their platform.
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Charlie Crew already showing he can follow Gray footsteps
Leeds officially play their first pre-season friendly of the summer on Friday night against Harrogate Town, and given 13 players have already left this summer, the squad will have a young feel to it.
Having said that, Leeds actually took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Michael Skubala’s Lincoln City on Tuesday, a game in which they won 3-0.
Six youngsters were able to take part in the the match at Thorp Arch, one of which was Charlie Crew, and it would appear it has not taken him long to show his class in pre-season.
Crew was among the players on the scoresheet in the match, in what can effectively be considered his first taste of senior action in a Leeds shirt.
Though bigger and more high profile tests are to come, the fact he has already managed to make such an impact is proof he is looking to follow in the footsteps of Gray.
Gray made his breakthrough under Daniel Farke as a result of his performances in pre-season 12 months ago, and Crew is now looking to do the same.
Following the recent departure of Glen Kamara, there is currently an opening in the centre of Farke’s midfield and hopefully he gets a chance to showcase his class in front of the fans at Harrogate.
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Leeds have already shown their faith in Crew this summer
Crew has already made the bench for the first team a few times but was never really close to being used by Farke.
That said, Farke hailed him as a ‘high potential player’ and that was backed up by the fact he was handed his senior Wales debut in June.
Leeds then also signalled their long-term intentions with the 18-year-old by handing him a new long-term contract last week.
All these factors are building up to what could be a big season for him in the Championship at Leeds.
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