Archie Gray is still waiting for his first start for Tottenham Hotspur after leaving Leeds United to join the North London club, but Paul Robinson has made a prediction about the versatile teen.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the last 12 months. But those of a Leeds persuasion will have seen it coming, with Gray already around the Leeds first team during the era of boss Jesse Marsch.
Injury prevented the youngster from following in the footsteps of family members Andy, Frank and Eddie until the opening day of the 2023-24 season, when Daniel Farke threw Gray into the Leeds starting XI.
He went on to play 52 times for Leeds last season. Right-back, central midfield or even as a no.10, Gray instantly became a favourite as Leeds reached the play-off final but it ended in defeat to Southampton.
Robinson also left Leeds to join Tottenham as a young player
Failure to gain promotion meant Leeds had to sell and with the Profit & Sustainability deadline on the horizon, Leeds only had an offer for Gray on the table and were forced to sell, joining Spurs for £40m.
So far, Gray has made substitute appearances in two of Tottenham’s three Premier League games as he waits for his chance from the off for Spurs, having followed Robinson’s path in leaving Leeds for Spurs.
Fellow Thorp Arch academy product Robinson claims on social media that over the next few years, Gray will be a regular for England having already become a key part of the U21 side during the 2023-24 term.
Robinson replied to a post, saying both Gray and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton will be regulars for England soon: “Archie Gray and Adam Wharton over the next few years!”
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Why Leeds preferred selling Gray to Tottenham over Brentford
It is common knowledge now that Gray initially travelled to the capital to undergo a medical with Thomas Frank’s Brentford. But as soon as Spurs came calling, Gray dropped a move to the Bees for Tottenham.
It is claimed that Leeds preferred Gray joining Tottenham over Brentford, largely because it allowed Leeds to do a permanent deal for Joe Rodon. But also, because Leeds were wary of a fan backlash from his sale.
The club felt that selling to Tottenham, naturally a bigger club than Brentford, would appease Leeds fans more so given joining a club of that size is perhaps more understandable than a move to join Brentford.