Leeds United News

It has been an excellent international break when it comes to the Leeds United players involved with their countries, as 13 of Daniel Farke’s squad travelled to represent their countries.

Junior Firpo helped The Dominican Republic qualify for the 2025 Gold Cup for the first time, laying on two assists in a 6-1 win over Bermuda. Mateo Joseph scored his sixth goal in seven games for Spain’s U21’s.

Elsewhere, Max Wober returned to the pitch for the first time since the start of September and Wales kept Craig Bellamy’s start as manager unbeaten with a draw against Turkey and then a 4-1 win over Iceland.

Bellamy called-up four Wales players to his squad for the games, including Charlie Crew, Karl Darlow and Dan James. But it was Joe Rodon that excelled once again, as the centre-back secured his 50th Wales cap.

Tottenham star Ben Davies heaps praise on Leeds man Joe Rodon

In the absence of Aaron Ramsey, Tottenham defender Ben Davies is captaining Wales. Davies has been linked with Leeds in the past, given the growing contingent of Wales stars currently residing in Yorkshire.

With Crew an established member of the Wales squad and Ethan Ampadu injured, Leeds had as many as six Wales players last season with Connor Roberts on loan. Davies though, has remained at Tottenham.

Taking to Instagram following Rodon’s 50th cap and Wales’ 4-1 win, Davies branded Rodon a “warrior” for his performances – not least because Rodon suffered a nasty gash to his head in the draw in Turkey.

His caption read: “Great week away with the boys. Jet2 to Turkey, big win at home and 50 caps for the Welsh warrior Joe Rodon.”

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Joe Rodon’s remarkable stats for club and country after 22 games

Praise has been aplenty for Rodon this week. Bellamy said there aren’t many better than Rodon, while Leeds teammate James thinks Rodon can go and reach a whopping 100 caps for Wales in years to come.

Rodon’s stats for club and country this season:

Rodon has played every single minute of every possible game he could have played for Leeds and Wales this season and is arguably, in the form of his life. If Leeds are to get promoted, that must continue.

Rodon, James and Joel Piroe will all face their old side in Swansea City on Sunday afternoon when Leeds return to action, the first of five games in the space of 16 days as we approach the busy Christmas period.

Archie Gray will be watching Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville make an impact at Brighton and West Ham United and he will have certainly questioned his Tottenham future.

The 18-year-old was a fan favourite even before his debut for Leeds on the opening day last season, a 2-2 draw against Cardiff at Elland Road. He went on to surpass 50 appearances, playing a key role for Leeds.

But defeat in the play-off final to Southampton saw the curtain close on his time at Leeds. The 49ers had to make one big-name sale and Gray was the only player to have an offer on the table, so off he went.

It was nearly Brentford and it could have been Aston Villa, but it ended up being Tottenham for Gray. But a few months down the line, Gray will not have been happy with his lack of game time in North London.

Gray has started and finished all six cup games for Tottenham, in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup. But in the Premier League, he’s managed just five substitute appearances under Ange Postecoglou.

There have been suggestions that he could look to leave on loan in January and possibly, might even consider a return to Elland Road. But Give Me Sport have reported a decision made by Gray on January.

They say that Gray has chosen to stay and fight for his place, with Gray of the belief that staying put will increase his chances of game time. Indeed, Spurs will go into January confident Gray is willing to remain.

Would Archie Gray even start for Leeds at this current moment?

The addition of Jayden Bogle at right-back was only made largely because of Gray’s exit, and Connor Roberts return to Burnley. Had Gray remained, the chances are Leeds might not have brought in Bogle.

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Midfield, too. Leeds might not have felt the need to sign Ao Tanaka or Joe Rothwell with Gray still in situe. But, if he returned, would he start? It would be difficult to argue the case for dropping Tanaka or Rothwell.

But certainly on the right of defence, Gray is an improvement on Bogle. Leigh Bromby says Leeds fans and Daniel Farke are yet to see Bogle’s weakness, as Leeds so easily dominate games.

Bogle has two goals for Leeds this season and is excellent in the final third, but he is questionable when it comes to defending. Gray would still offer attacking impetus, but improve on Bogledefensively

Leeds United are already considering options at left-back with Junior Firpo’s long-term future in doubt and Sunderland ace Dennis Cirkin has been linked with a move to Elland Road.

Junior Firpo is out of contract at the end of the season and Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that Firpo will only sign a new deal if Daniel Farke can guide the Whites back to the Premier League.

Leeds will obviously want to keep a left-back that has had a hand in 11 Championship goals in 39 games at this level. But, Firpo is a player with Real Betis and Barcelona on his CV, he knows he can play higher.

The chances are that Firpo will have interest in his services even if Leeds do go up, with a new deal not likely to materialise before January 1, when non-English clubs can approach Firpo on a pre-contract deal.

Leeds eye Dennis Cirkin and Tottenham could now benefit

Leeds are being linked with a move for Cirkin, ahead of the January window. Whether or not Leeds are interested indefinitely or fancy their chances at a move in the next window remains to be seen.

But, Sunderland insist Cirkin is ‘not for sale’. However, he will enter the final 18 months of his contract at Sunderland on January 1 – and Sunderland have made it a priority to hand Cirkin an improved contract.

The Echo now says that if Leeds do make a move for Cirkin, then a portion of any transfer fee will go to Tottenham. Cirkin’s boyhood club installed a sell-on clause that entitles them to a portion of the figure.

Tottenham clause could see Leeds have to increase Cirkin fee

Sunderland will obviously have a figure in mind when it comes to Cirkin. A player that is still only 22, but scores goals from the left side of the defence and can play in the middle, if he is required to do so.

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Tottenham were linked at one stage and had a buyback clause of £6m, but that expired in the summer. But if Leeds are to make a move, it is likely that Sunderland will want a bit on top to cover Spurs’ charge.

It is unclear how much that fee would be but it is likely to be a decent amount, especially in January. The enormity of that figure is also down to Cirkin, and whether he signs a new contract or runs his deal down.

Former Leeds United star Archie Gray was in Europa League action for Tottenham Hotspur away at Galatasaray.

Being a boyhood Leeds fan, Gray will understand the rivalry between his old club and Spurs’ opponents, making it an even bigger night than it already was for him.

Gray was making just his sixth start for Spurs since joining from Leeds in the summer, four of which have come in the Europa League, with the other two in the Carabao Cup.

Spurs had travelled to Turkey with a 100 per cent record in Europe this season but a much changed XI fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat, despite goals from Will Lankshear and Dominic Solanke.

Gray has been linked with a loan move to Sevilla in January but with so many games to come in the Europa League, it is difficult to see Spurs sanctioning an exit, considering how important he has become in this competition.

Spurs media react to Gray display vs Galatasaray

Gray has impressed in the Europa League this season and despite falling to their first loss, seemingly enjoyed another good night on a personal level.

The 18-year-old was heavily involved in Spurs’ equalising goal in the first half as his perfect cross-field pass over the top of Galatasaray’s defence found Brennan Johnson inside the area, who squared for Lankshear to tap home.

Despite Gray being keen to play midfield, he was in yet another new position for Spurs in Turkey, this time starting on the left of a makeshift back four.

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There were some understandable struggles that came as a result of playing out of position, though Football.London wanted to focus on his ‘fantastic’ ball for Johnson in their post-match player ratings.

They wrote: “Archie Gray – Played a fantastic ball into the path of Johnson for Lankshear’s leveller. Worked hard down the left but struggled to get up the pitch as he would have wanted. 6.”

National English press give Gray ‘credit’

With a total of 28 shots to five, Galatasaray were deserved winners on the night, but Spurs fought hard with both Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven out injured, and other key players on the bench.

The Daily Express also wrote a post-match player ratings piece on Spurs’ side, with Gray again named as one of the stand-outs.

It is said Gray was one of the only members of the Spurs side to finish the game with ‘credit’, despite playing in an unnatural position.

Since leaving Leeds United for Tottenham Hotspur, Archie Gray has seemingly turned into Ange Postecoglou’s very own version of Stuart Dallas.

Gray was handed his third start for Tottenham on Thursday night as they picked up a second consecutive win in the Europa League, defeating Ferencvaros 2-1 away from home.

With Spurs down to 10 men, Gray was praised for his performance in the 3-0 victory over Qarabag last week, but it appears as though he went up another level in Hungary.

Gray is now effectively seen as cover all across Spurs’ back four after former Leeds loanee Djed Spence was actually left out of the Europa League squad completely.

Spence came on at left-back at half-time of Spurs’ 3-0 win over Manchester United last weekend, and with both Radu Dragusin and Destiny Udogie ruled out, it was up to Gray to cover.

Spurs media make huge prediction about Gray

For the first time ever, Gray actually played at centre-back in pre-season for Spurs due to Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Dragusin all being away on international duty.

It had looked as though that would be just a brief experiment by Postecoglou, but Gray was actually tasked with playing there in a competitive match last night.

Gray started the match at centre-back before then being shifted over to the left in the second half due to Ben Davies’ struggles.

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Considering those are two positions he rarely, if ever played at all at Leeds, Football.London were left hugely impressed by Gray’s display, so much so they have predicted him to achieve huge things while at Spurs.

They wrote: “Archie Gray – Spent the first half as central defender and the second as a left-back. The 18-year-old is going to be a fantastic player for the club.

“Playing completely out of position but he showed so many great touches, including one backheel that sent Spurs away on a big counter attack. Worked so hard throughout. 8.”

National media question Gray defensively

Gray wasn’t always the most assured defensively when playing right-back for Leeds, but certainly grew into the position as the season went on.

And playing here there and everywhere apart from midfield for Spurs, it is looking like he will have to continue learning on the job.

Archie Gray finally seems to be showing his worth to Tottenham Hotspur following his move from Leeds United.

Gray joined the north London side for £40 million in the summer but has been forced to bide his time for proper minutes, which look set to arrive on a regular basis now the cup competitions have started.

His full debut came in last week’s 2-1 victory over Leeds‘ opponents today Coventry City, a game in which former Whites loanee Djed Spence outshone him with a goal.

However, Gray received heaps of praise from Spurs’ local media for his performance in their 3-0 win over Qarabag in the Europa League.

Spurs were down to 10 men for almost the entirety of that match but Gray was hailed as one of their side’s star performers, meaning more starts are likely to be around the corner.

Gray hails what Stuart Dallas did at Leeds

Gray is undoubtedly the golden boy to come out of Leeds’ academy in recent years, possibly even since James Milner all the way back in 2002.

As a result of his rapid progression up the footballing world, those who have worked closely with him throughout his career have spoken very highly of him recently.

Former Leeds U21s coach Mark Jackson says he knew Gray would be special from an early age, while Stuart Dallas recalled how hard he used to work when they were both injured.

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And now in an interview with Sky Sports, Gray wanted to return the favour to all those who praised him in the media recently, but none more so than former Leeds teammate Dallas.

“I respect all of them and I’m really grateful for all of them, all three of them. What they have done for me is amazing and I am really lucky to have come across them all along my way.

“They are all amazing guys, and Stu especially, he helped me a lot, especially coming in as a player, as a senior player. He took me under his wing over the last few years and he really helped me along the way.”

What Dallas said about Gray after time together at Leeds

As mentioned, Dallas recently spoke very highly of Gray in an interview with Sky Sports, having actually spent a lot of time together in the treatment room.

Dallas, of course, spent two years on the sidelines prior to his retirement and for much of the first year, Gray was with him as a 16-year-old.

Dallas could not believe how hard Gray used to work to get himself back fit and says his desire to go the extra mile is what singled him out to other youngsters.

He said: “For me to have him in the gym as well, he got injured for quite a while but never once complained. I always tell the story about him that he’d have been given his programme in the morning, and it would have been pretty long for him.

“He was still doing his education at the times, so he’d have done one part of his gym programme and then do his education. By the time his education was done, I’d have finished and I was gone.

“Every other player was gone, but I’d return in the evening with my kids in the pre-academy, and when I’d comeback, Archie would still be in the gym. I’d say, ‘what are you still doing here?’

“He’d say he’s finishing off his programme and that to me showed this kid wants it and is going to get it, because anyone else would’ve been gone, ‘there’s no coaches here or staff, I’ll go.’ But no he was still finishing is core, or whatever he had to do and that to me showed he’s different and special.”

Archie Gray’s decision to leave Leeds United for Tottenham was vindicated on Thursday night after making his full European debut.

Gray joined Spurs for £40 million in the summer and has had a slow start to life in north London, but is expected to see plenty of game time in the Europa League.

Despite Eddie Gray’s insistence midfield is Gray’s best position, the 18-year-old was again playing at right back as a 10-man Spurs defeated Qarabag 3-0 at home.

With former Leeds loanee Djed Spence having been left out of the Europa League squad completely, Gray is likely to continue at right-back throughout Spurs’ campaign in Europe.

Incidentally, Spence actually outshone Gray on his full debut at Coventry City, but this appears as though it was a good night for the former Leeds star.

Local Spurs media react to Gray’s European debut

Despite on paper it looking like a routine victory, Spurs played with a man light for over 80 minutes of the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Gray’s right centre-back Radu Dragusin was given a red card for an early last-man foul, but clearly adapted well with Spurs keeping a clean sheet.

Spurs were understandably forced to withstand some pressure throughout the match, but Gray was able to hold firm defensively.

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He completed 28 of his 39 attempted passes, made two tackles, two clearances and blocked one shot, showing just how involved he was.

Football.London delivered their verdict on Gray’s performance post-match and says it is clear he is continuing to get ‘sharper’, despite playing out of position.

They wrote: “Archie Gray – Put in a real shift at right-back and tried to get Spurs up the pitch as well even with 10 men. It’s not his ideal position but he’s getting plenty of minutes there and he’s getting sharper. Looked like he picked up a late painful knock but was running it off in the final minutes. 7.”

National media also delivers Gray verdict after Spurs win

It seems the national media were also impressed by Gray’s display, who will only get better the more he plays regular minutes.

Despite Qarabag’s man advantage, 90min.com actually focused on Gray’s attacking threat down the right alongside Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski.

That outlet believe ‘meaningful minutes’ in the Premier League are not too far around the corner for Gray.

Archie Gray has finally made his first start for Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night after leaving Leeds United and Ethan Ampadu has heaped praise on the teenage midfielder.

The 18-year-old played 90 minutes for Ange Postecoglou’s side in the third round of the Carabao Cup last night as Spurs came from behind late to win 2-1 against last term’s FA Cup semi-finalists Coventry City.

Goals from former Leeds loanee Djed Spence and then Brennan Johnson secured a 2-1 win for Gray and Spurs. While he was solid, Gray was outshone by Spence after the latter came on for Spurs at half-time.

Gray’s move to Spurs in the summer comes after a wonderful first season in the senior team at Leeds in which the England U21 star played 52 times in all competitions, both in midfield and at right-back.

Ampadu says Gray is “fearless” following move to Tottenham

It is a big hole that Gray has left behind. Arguably the best right-back in last season’s Championship and one of the best midfielders, too. Leeds have since replaced him with Jayden Bogle and two midfielders.

Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell have come in, but the chances of them being anything like Gray is limited. Ampadu highlighted his attributes in a recent interview with Sky Sports following his move to Spurs.

“He’s top. Not just as a player but as a person, and his family. When you play with him you forget he’s a young lad, he’s fearless. I don’t think football fazes him, everyone gets nervous but nothing fazes him.

“He plays the game how it is and that’s one of his best attributes that no matter what the game requires, no matter what situation he’s in in the game, he just does it,” Ampadu said in an interview about Gray.

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What Stuart Dallas told Gray following the play-off final

Had Leeds beaten Southampton in the play-off final, it is much more likely that Gray would have stayed at Leeds. The same for new West Ham and Brighton stars Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.

But Southampton won 1-0 and are back in the Premier League while Leeds have been left to fight it out in England’s second tier for a second year. Dallas told Gray after the final it would make him a better player.

“I said to him after the game that these games will make you a better player, it’ll help you as a player and help you grow. I mean, you can see that now,” Dallas said when sharing what he told Gray after the final.

Archie Gray’s first start for Tottenham proved to be an enthralling Carabao Cup clash that saw Spurs manage to overcome Coventry City in the end, but he showed he’s still Leeds after the match.

The 18-year-old swapped Leeds for Tottenham at the start of July, costing Spurs a whopping £40m. But a quarter of that fee was immediately returned to Spurs, for the permanent purchase of player Joe Rodon.

But Gray has been made to wait for minutes at Tottenham. He came on in Spurs’ opening two Premier League fixtures against Leicester and Everton, but was unused against Newcastle United and Arsenal.

On Wednesday night though, Ange Postecoglou handed Gray the chance to start and he played the 90 minutes as Spurs came from behind to beat Championship side and FA Cup semi-finalists Coventry.

Gray describes as Elland Road as “our ground” in interview

A brilliant goal from Djed Spence and then an injury-time winner from Brennan Johnson cancelled out Brandon Thomas-Asante’s opener just after the hour mark. Spence’s equaliser came in the 88th minute.

Speaking after the match, Gray explained how he knew facing Coventry would be a tough clash having played against Mark Robins’ side for Leeds. Inadvertently, he described Elland Road as “our ground”.

“Difficult place to come here. Played here last year, even at our ground last year, they always bring a tough game and lots of transitions. They did well and the fans got behind them,” Gray told Sky Sports.

Gray solid but he was outshone by Spence in first Spurs start

Two tackles, passing accuracy above 90% and an interception according to WhoScored is proof that Gray has a solid, steady first start for Spurs in what was a banana skin for Ange Postecoglou’s side last night.

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But Gray was outshone by Spence. The Leeds flop, who is back at Spurs after a loan spell at Genoa, came on at half-time on the other side of Tottenham’s defence and was the architect of his side’s late equaliser.

Not only that, but he had a better passing accuracy than Gray, as many tackles and as many clearances in the 45 minutes he played. It might be back to the bench on the weekend when Spurs take on Brentford.

Over two-and-a-half-months on from his move from Leeds United, Archie Gray finally made his full competitive Tottenham debut.

Gray was handed a start at right-back in Spurs’ late 2-1 win at Coventry City in the Carabao Cup, with the 18-year-old playing the full 90 minutes in place of Pedro Porro.

Spurs have actually signed Gray to play in midfield over the long-term but their current options are so stacked that he has again had to drop into the back four, like he did for much of his time at Elland Road.

It is likely that will be where he makes the majority of his appearances given former Leeds loanee and the scorer of Spurs’ equaliser Djed Spence was left out of their Europa League squad.

Gray has frequently said he is happy to play anywhere but there is no doubt those around him, including great uncle Eddie, view his best position as midfield.

What Spurs’ local media made of former Leeds star Gray’s full debut

Gray is going to have to make the most of these sort of appearances this season as it is quite clear league minutes will be few and far between.

In both of Spurs’ last two matches, Gray has been an unused substitute and it is hard to see that changing with Yves Bissouma due back from injury soon.

And unfortunately for Gray, it does not sound like he particularly covered himself in glory on his full debut, even if Spurs did manage to comeback and take the win.

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Following back-to-back defeats in the league, including in Sunday’s North London derby against Arsenal, the pressure was on Ange Postecoglou to guide his side back to winning ways.

Postecoglou will be extremely relieved his side were able to save his blushes late on, though Football.London reported it was a tough night for Gray.

They wrote: “A busy game at right-back and Coventry gave him plenty of problems down that flank with their pace including finding that space behind him for the goal. 5.”

Jamie O’Hara blasted Spurs for £40m Gray signing

Former Spurs midfielder and now supporter Jamie O’Hara went into complete meltdown mode over his side’s transfer business in the wake of the defeat to Arsenal.

He completely lamented Spurs for spending so much money on the likes of Dominic Solanke, Wilson Odobert and Gray, all of whom came from so called lesser clubs.

And even though Spurs were able to eventually come out on top last night, perhaps he wasn’t far wrong if that performance is the benchmark for the rest of the season.

He said: “Have we brought in top players? [Dominic] Solanke, one good season at Bournemouth. Hasn’t scored yet. He’s had one good season at Bournemouth and we signed him for £60million.

“Brennan Johnson [is a] good player, a young player, Nottingham Forest, done the business of Forest. We signed him for £50 million. He looks miles off it, miles off it. And then I look at him and go, Archie Gray, good player. He’s from Leeds. It’s a Championship player. And we signed [Wilson] Odobert from Burnley.”