Archie Gray was pivotal in a brilliant Tottenham Hotspur win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg, and Ange Postecoglou has been discussing the Leeds United academy product.
It’s now eight games in a row for Archie Gray in the middle of Tottenham’s defence with Postecoglou’s squad suffering from a huge injury list. He’s started six of the last seven Premier League games for Spurs.
Prior to his run in the side at centre-back alongside Radu Dragusin, Gray had failed to start in Tottenham’s first 13 Premier League games. Instead, he was being used in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup.
But now, Gray is starting every game for Spurs and on Wednesday night, he enjoyed arguably his best night in a Spurs shirt with a semi-final victory over Liverpool as Lucas Bergvall scored a late Spurs winner.
Ange Postecoglou raves about Tottenham wonderkid Archie Gray
Such is the extent of Tottenham’s injury list, Spurs had won just two of their previous 11 games. The last game between Spurs and Liverpool ended in a 6-3 Liverpool win, so goals were expected on Wednesday.
That was not the case, as Bergvall scored an 86th-minute winner. Gray helped Spurs keep only a second clean sheet in his run of eight games and after the win, Postecoglou heaped praise on teenager Gray.
“In a position he’s never played mate, you know, he’s never played. An 18-year-old. Name me another Premier League team with two 18-year-olds [Gray and Bergvall], one playing out of position consistently.
“I’m so happy they’re at our club and you know, in two or three years’ time, I just pray to God I’m the beneficiary of their talent, mate. If somebody else is getting it, I won’t be happy,” Postecoglou said.
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Jamie O’Hara was also in awe of Archie Gray’s Tottenham display
Shortly after Gray’s £40m move to Tottenham, Jamie O’Hara was critical of Spurs’ decision to sign Gray for such a big price. But now, it seems the TalkSPORT presenter is impressed: “Archie gray has been superb.”
Whether Gray retains is place in the side remains to be seen, when Cristian Romero, Ben Davies and Micky van de Ven return from injury. Interestingly, Davies has emerged as a transfer target for Gray’s old side.
But Rodrigo Bentancur was taken off early and that has left Spurs even lighter in midfield. It might be that there is a space for Gray in his natural position when other defenders come back into contention at Spurs.