Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have been one of the few positives for Tottenham Hotspur in what has been a hugely disappointing season for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Ange Postecoglou lauded Gray for playing as well as he has in an unnatural position as a left-sided centre-back this campaign.
Archie Gray has embraced the challenge and impressed after initially being a mere squad player at the start of his time at Tottenham.
Similarly, Lucas Bergvall has also been tasked to play in multiple positions in his debut season in the Premier League — deployed as an advanced midfielder against Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, in central midfield against Everton and as a number six in the second half against Arsenal recently.
Yet Bergvall, hailed by Declan Rice has managed to perform, with Gray also playing as a centre-back in a back three in his side’s 3-2 defeat against Everton — having played as one in a back four and in midfield this term.
Pedro Porro hails “spectacular” Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall
Tottenham can build around Gray and Bergvall, who have the potential to become top-class players in the future.
Pedro Porro, once considered a hot prospect himself had his say about the youthful pair.
Porro initially sang the 18-year-old Gray’s praises.
Speaking to Football.London, the 25-year-old said: “Oh Archie Gray, he’s unreal!”
“He’s a good guy and he’s playing centre-back or as a number six, he’s top!”
Porro added: “When you have injuries and you have signed young players who perhaps are for the future, then you sign them for the future but also so you’ve got options if you get injuries.”
The Spaniard went on to give Bergvall, who is also just 18 his due credit as well.
“Lucas [Bergvall], Archie and others have been doing so well, but that, at the end of the day, is why the club have brought them in. They’ve had their opportunity and it’s up to them to take it.”
“They’re doing a spectacular job for the club and if we go through a bad moment and they’re suffering like us all at this moment, then that’ll make them great players in the future because they’re putting everything out there for the team.”
Gray and Bergvall have been praised as the duo seem ready to perform when the pressure is at its highest, such as in the Lilywhites’ 1-0 win against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
Ange Postecoglou will be disappointed that his Tottenham side are placed 15th in the Premier League, considering both teenagers have played their hearts out this season.
Ange Postecoglou loves managing Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall
Several other young players would understandably have folded under the pressure that comes with playing for a team like Spurs, who are having an appalling campaign riddled with injuries.
But the Tottenham duo seem to be cut from a different cloth.
After Tottenham’s win against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, Ange Postecoglou heaped praise on Gray and Bergvall and admitted that he really enjoys managing the two.
“And in a position he’s [Gray] never played mate, you know, he’s never played. An 18-year-old. Name me another Premier League team that’s got two 18-year-olds and one playing out of position consistently.”
“I’m so happy they’re at our football club and you know, in two or three years’ time, I just pray to God I’m the beneficiary of their talent, mate because if somebody else is getting it, I won’t be happy.”
In Antonin Kinsky, Tottenham have another talented youngster who has the makings of a world-class goalkeeper.
Tyrese Hall has been compared to Luka Modric as well, which goes to show how much top young talent there is at Spurs’ disposal.
Gray and Bergvall have shown other young players around the world that they can make the grade at a club of Tottenham’s stature, with the pair now looking likely to start against Hoffenheim and Leicester City on the weekend.