Ex-spiller: Archie Gray

[Asbjørn]

Sesongen 2022/23 ble ingen høydare for Archie Gray. Skadd i pre-seasonkamp, under rehabiliteringen skadet han selv tåen (brudd?) hjemme. Og så var det sykdom som satte han tilbake utpå nyåret.
Nå er det ny pre season på gang, og Archie viser seg igjen frem.

Han fikk en omgang sammen med nykommer Ampadu mot Monaco og makkeren ble imponert av ungguttten:

"Archie is a very good player," said Ampadu after the 2-0 defeat.

"I think he showed that today - I don't need to say that, I think he showed that himself."


Ampadu says that any partnership with the teenager will only improve with time on the pitch but their ability to get on the ball, keep Leeds in possession and keep them moving forward, held real promise in their first outing as a pair.

"It was our first time playing together - we've trained together a couple of times. I think as you play with people more and more you get to build partnerships, but today was good."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/i-dont-need-to-say-that-leeds-united-ps7m-transfer-ethan-ampadu-on-great-whites-teenage-hope-4228671

[peacock]

Han har vokst. Så nesten ut som en mann!
Fikk faktisk troen på et mulig gjennombrudd.

[auren]

Er du god nok er du gammel nok. For noen sesonger siden (edit: 11 sesonger siden!) herjet Will Hughes for Derby i en alder av 17 år. Gray kan selvsagt gjøre det samme. Han trenger game time. Men vil han få det og er det riktig å "kaste ham til ulvene" allerede denne sesongen?

auren

[stian]

Er du god nok er du gammel nok. For noen sesonger siden (edit: 11 sesonger siden!) herjet Will Hughes for Derby i en alder av 17 år. Gray kan selvsagt gjøre det samme. Han trenger game time. Men vil han få det og er det riktig å "kaste ham til ulvene" allerede denne sesongen?

auren

Gray er vel én av dem som kan få et karrieremessig løft av et år i Championship hvor en tynnere stall og en trangere økonomi gjør veien til startelleveren kortere. Jeg tror han kommer til å få bra med spilletid i år, særlig i starten av sesongen når Adams er ute med skade. En 17-åring skal ikke spille 46 kamper, men han virker både robust og uredd så han tåler nok championship.

Men så var det det med å "kaste ham til ulvene". Ulvene trenger ikke å være så ille hvis Farke klarer å sette en spillestil som det går an å føle seg trygg i. Hvis det blir nok en sesong med rot og ryggen mot veggen blir ulvene på og utenfor banen litt verre å forholde seg til for en unggutt, særlig når du heter Gray til etternavn. En sånn læringsarena tror jeg ikke det er mange unggutter som vokser på.

[HåvardK]

Viser sitt enorme potensiale i går. Vi må nok regne med noen skumle balltap, men denne karen har så mye å bidra med offensivt at det mer enn nok veier opp for slike feil.

[Asbjørn]

Når det innimellom dukker opp klipp av lillebror Harry så må de jo deles

https://twitter.com/integerfootball/status/1684246853934624768?s=20

[Asbjørn]

Daily Mail igjen:

Leeds starlet Archie Gray, 17 is ready to continue the family dynasty for Daniel Farke's side this season
Marcelo Bielsa was vindicated in bringing Archie Gray into 'murderball' sessions
Teenager Gray shone in the former Leeds manager's notoriously tough exercise
Now Archie, whose great-uncle Eddie is a club icon, wants to shine this season
By ROSS HEPPENSTALL FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY UPDATED: 10:08 BST, 30 July 2023

When Marcelo Bielsa summoned prodigious Leeds United talent Archie Gray to a notorious 'murderball' session, vindication was emphatic.

Gray had begun training with the first-team squad and remarkably, aged 15, was named on the bench for a Premier League game against Arsenal in December 2021.

Mark Jackson, who nurtured Gray in Leeds' vaunted academy and as his Under-23s manager, watched the midfielder in the gruelling training-ground game which sees the ball continually in play.


'Marcelo's murderball sessions were so intense, but Archie was fearless and had no apprehension whatsoever,' says Jackson. 'The way he used his physicality to protect the ball and get out of certain situations had me thinking 'wow, he's a bit special'.

'Marcelo subsequently wanted Archie in more frequently with the first team even though he was still at school doing his GCSEs. I was managing the Under-23s at the time and our challenge was to coordinate his school life with his training.

'The club was really good at putting together a programme which continued his education but exposed Archie to training with the first-team, which allowed him to progress so quickly.'

Gray's dad Andy, grandfather Frank and legendary great-uncle Eddie all played for Leeds. It is now 17-year-old Archie's time, with a first-team debut beckoning following an impressive pre-season under new boss Daniel Farke.

'If Archie does get an opportunity it would be fantastic for the whole family and a bit surreal,' says the teenager's father, ex-Leeds striker Andy.

'He missed a large chunk of last season through injury until March and was then on the bench a few times without getting on. He's just got to work hard every day and prove that he warrants a place first and foremost.'

At 6ft 2ins and 'probably still growing' according to his father, physically imposing Gray has yet to find his best position.

Jackson explained: 'What really accelerated Archie's progression was when he had a growth spurt and began to navigate his way around the pitch and dominate it. That's a real strength of Archie's now – he can go box to box and that's what modern midfielders need to do.

'I played with his dad at Leeds and Andy was always very fit, as was Eddie during his career. Archie's fitness has allowed him to keep moving up the ladder and I think it's a given that he'll make his debut this season.

'I certainly envisage Archie impacting Leeds' squad this year, which would be a real breakthrough for him.'


Gray senior believes his son will gradually settle as 'a No 8 or No 10.'

The 45-year-old played for Leeds over two spells, adding: 'Archie's quite mature for someone so young and doesn't dwell on things – he's pretty single-minded. Having someone like Bielsa as your first manager, when you're still at school, was unbelievable.

'I was telling Archie at the time 'this isn't actually real, this shouldn't really be happening, so take it all in'. I think he did, as much as young lad can do, and really appreciated how fortunate he was.'

Farke spoke well this week of Gray, whose brother Harry, 14, is also on Leeds' books along with 11-year-old Jacob, Eddie's grandson.

'Physically, Archie's in a good condition,' said Farke, whose side travel to Hearts today for their final friendly before next Sunday's Championship opener at home to Cardiff.

'He has shown some really good performances in pre-season but also where he has to improve. What I like about him is he's willing to learn. He's on a good path.'

Several players have jumped ship since Leeds' relegation and, while Ethan Ampadu has arrived from Chelsea, Farke has stressed the need for several more signings.

Gray's fellow academy graduate Charlie Cresswell, 20, who spent last season on loan at Millwall, similarly appears ripe for a breakthrough campaign.


Cresswell's father Richard played for Leeds between 2005 and 2007 and Jackson adds: 'It's time for Charlie to shine and really fight for one of those centre-half spots. 'He's a great communicator and was showing his leadership skills when playing for me in the Under-18s at Leeds as a 15 or 16-year-old.

'At Millwall last season, he was very highly regarded as a first-team starter. I'm sure Charlie will be chomping at the bit to earn Farke's trust and show what he's made of. I believe he's got a great chance of doing that.'

Beyond Gray and Cresswell, Jackson pointed to several other young talents in Farke's squad. 'Crysencio Summerville, Cody Drameh, Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood all played in the Under-23s and then progressed through under Marcelo,' he said.

'Mateo Joseph has huge potential and all the attributes to make an impact – Darko Gyabi is another. Yes, players have left Leeds this summer and I'm sure others will arrive. But there are young lads there with enormous talent and some with Championship experience.

'It's a case of saying 'now the club needs you, it's your time to shine'.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12353351/Leeds-starlet-Archie-Gray-17-ready-continue-family-dynasty-Daniel-Farkes-season.html

[stian]

"Gray senior believes his son will gradually settle as 'a No 8 or No 10.'"... Det hadde vært interessant å se hvordan Gray junior hadde gjort det i 10-errollen i kanpen mot Hearts. Det skal vel litt til at Farke finner spilleren som skal fylle den viktige rollen i våre egne rekker, men det er en uke til seriestart og noen må jo spille der.

[Dennis]

"Gray senior believes his son will gradually settle as 'a No 8 or No 10.'"... Det hadde vært interessant å se hvordan Gray junior hadde gjort det i 10-errollen i kanpen mot Hearts. Det skal vel litt til at Farke finner spilleren som skal fylle den viktige rollen i våre egne rekker, men det er en uke til seriestart og noen må jo spille der.

Enig. Han har nok kvaliteter til å spille både som en av to sittende, hvor han er den mest spillende av de, men også i 10er-rollen. Hadde vært spennende å se hva han kunne fått til der. Liker godt de 10erne som har en litt mer fysisk spillestil også, enn feks Poveda eller Pablo.

Farke hadde jo sin store playmaker, Buendia, ute på høyresiden som en falsk 7er. Det samme gjaldt nettopp Pablo under Bielsa. Det er ikke gitt at den som er ment å skape flest sjanser skal ligge midt i banen hele tida. Så at Archie Gray kan få muligheten litt lenger framme bør absolutt kunne skje, særlig om vi beholder Adams og det blir amerikaneren og Ampadu som balanseholdere. Han har jo også bra med kreativitet selv, Archie Gray. 

[ar9]

A.Gray har overrasket meg i treningskampene.
Han er nå foran Geybi i køen og klar for å «bleedes» i Championship.
Farke sier han skal matche unggutta forsiktig.
Men ikke sikkert Farke klarer å holde han igjen.
Blir spennende å se


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[stian]

"Gray senior believes his son will gradually settle as 'a No 8 or No 10.'"... Det hadde vært interessant å se hvordan Gray junior hadde gjort det i 10-errollen i kanpen mot Hearts. Det skal vel litt til at Farke finner spilleren som skal fylle den viktige rollen i våre egne rekker, men det er en uke til seriestart og noen må jo spille der.

Enig. Han har nok kvaliteter til å spille både som en av to sittende, hvor han er den mest spillende av de, men også i 10er-rollen. Hadde vært spennende å se hva han kunne fått til der. Liker godt de 10erne som har en litt mer fysisk spillestil også, enn feks Poveda eller Pablo.

Farke hadde jo sin store playmaker, Buendia, ute på høyresiden som en falsk 7er. Det samme gjaldt nettopp Pablo under Bielsa. Det er ikke gitt at den som er ment å skape flest sjanser skal ligge midt i banen hele tida. Så at Archie Gray kan få muligheten litt lenger framme bør absolutt kunne skje, særlig om vi beholder Adams og det blir amerikaneren og Ampadu som balanseholdere. Han har jo også bra med kreativitet selv, Archie Gray.

Godt poeng det der med 10-ere som trekker ut til sidene, det gir mer å spille på for vingene også. Både  Summerville, Gnonto og Sinisterra er gode når de trekker inn, og sånne plassbytter skaper litt uro for motstanderens back og stopper på den siden. Som igjen kan skape rom mellom back og stopper som kan utnyttes av andre igjen.

Gray virker å ha et veldig godt fotballhode og tåle en litt fri rolle, så det gir litt mening å prøve ham ut i rollen. Defensivt vil også en løps- og taklingssterk spiller som Gray gi oss mye power når vi presser høyt.

[Dennis]

"Gray senior believes his son will gradually settle as 'a No 8 or No 10.'"... Det hadde vært interessant å se hvordan Gray junior hadde gjort det i 10-errollen i kanpen mot Hearts. Det skal vel litt til at Farke finner spilleren som skal fylle den viktige rollen i våre egne rekker, men det er en uke til seriestart og noen må jo spille der.

Enig. Han har nok kvaliteter til å spille både som en av to sittende, hvor han er den mest spillende av de, men også i 10er-rollen. Hadde vært spennende å se hva han kunne fått til der. Liker godt de 10erne som har en litt mer fysisk spillestil også, enn feks Poveda eller Pablo.

Farke hadde jo sin store playmaker, Buendia, ute på høyresiden som en falsk 7er. Det samme gjaldt nettopp Pablo under Bielsa. Det er ikke gitt at den som er ment å skape flest sjanser skal ligge midt i banen hele tida. Så at Archie Gray kan få muligheten litt lenger framme bør absolutt kunne skje, særlig om vi beholder Adams og det blir amerikaneren og Ampadu som balanseholdere. Han har jo også bra med kreativitet selv, Archie Gray.

Godt poeng det der med 10-ere som trekker ut til sidene, det gir mer å spille på for vingene også. Både  Summerville, Gnonto og Sinisterra er gode når de trekker inn, og sånne plassbytter skaper litt uro for motstanderens back og stopper på den siden. Som igjen kan skape rom mellom back og stopper som kan utnyttes av andre igjen.

Gray virker å ha et veldig godt fotballhode og tåle en litt fri rolle, så det gir litt mening å prøve ham ut i rollen. Defensivt vil også en løps- og taklingssterk spiller som Gray gi oss mye power når vi presser høyt.

Enig!

Og sannsynligvis får vi faktisk mer den double pivoten som Marsch snakka om. Jeg tror nok de to sittende må ligge i posisjonen sin, ellers blir det ubalanse ved mange anledninger. Backene er fryktelig viktig for Farke og Ayling er utvilsomt best offensivt. Som det også ble påpekt på SB podcast forrige uke  så er heller ikke Farke en som bruker klassiske vinger. De trekker ofre inn og gir rom til backene, som da er breddeholderne.

Noe som igjen åpner for at 11 og 7, pluss 10er kan fylle opp i feltet sammen med spissen.

Vi så vel allerede g8de tendenser på dette mot Forest og videre i går. Samtidig la jeg mot Forest merke til at Ampadu klappet i henda og startet presset høyt i banen ved et par anledninger. Herlig om den timingen der blir god.

Tilbake til Gray. For et talent! Jeg mener at der har vi en ny Delph og Cook, men antakelig med enda større talent. Så gjenstår det selvsagt å se. Men modenheten og roa han allerede har er veldig lovende.

Farke lagde.også seniorspillere av mange unge i Norwich. Det lover godt, da Leeds utvilsomt må ha tiltro til de yngre.

[Asbjørn]

Farke lagde.også seniorspillere av mange unge i Norwich. Det lover godt, da Leeds utvilsomt må ha tiltro til de yngre.

Det er mange plusser i å ha fått inn Farke som ... manager (han insisterte på å bli kalt det). Men spesielt for Leeds som utvilsomt har mange lovende spillere 'i startgropen' av karrieren sin er det godt å ha en sjef som allerede har vist at han både kan gi unge tillit og allerede har rulleblad for å ha utviklet unge spillere til å bli gode seniorspillere.

Vi hàr så mange å ta av... alle vil ikke slå gjennom men du verden jeg tror en del av de vil det.

Interessant er det da at det Farke snakker om er ikke våre unge talenter, men at vi trenger noen rutinerte inn. Han vet at en forutsetning for at disse skal skinne er at de har noen rutinerte rundt seg som både kan veilede, ta støyten når det trengs, og gi de unge hvile når dèt trengs.

[Dennis]

Farke lagde.også seniorspillere av mange unge i Norwich. Det lover godt, da Leeds utvilsomt må ha tiltro til de yngre.

Det er mange plusser i å ha fått inn Farke som ... manager (han insisterte på å bli kalt det). Men spesielt for Leeds som utvilsomt har mange lovende spillere 'i startgropen' av karrieren sin er det godt å ha en sjef som allerede har vist at han både kan gi unge tillit og allerede har rulleblad for å ha utviklet unge spillere til å bli gode seniorspillere.

Vi hàr så mange å ta av... alle vil ikke slå gjennom men du verden jeg tror en del av de vil det.

Interessant er det da at det Farke snakker om er ikke våre unge talenter, men at vi trenger noen rutinerte inn. Han vet at en forutsetning for at disse skal skinne er at de har noen rutinerte rundt seg som både kan veilede, ta støyten når det trengs, og gi de unge hvile når dèt trengs.

Ja, dette er viktig. Man trenger noen "voksne" støttespillere. Det er derfor jeg mener eksempelvis at det er ekstremt viktig at Liam Cooper spiller. Spesielt når Wöber plutselig siklet på grønnere gress.

Nesten litt "synd" at ambisjonene er så høye som de er umiddelbart, for det hadde vært morsomt om man kunne kastet nesten alle disse lovende spillerne til ulvene samtidig og latt de feile og vokse uten presset. Hadde vært litt annerledes om klubben hadde den evige 12-15 plassen vi hadde noen år tilbake.

Så må jeg innrømme at selv om jeg håper vi kjemper helt i toppen denne sesongen (mye fordi kombinasjonen og minkende fallskjerm og FFP vil lage trøbbel raskt), så er nesten det viktigste for min del at pila peker oppover, at vi får se fin fotball og et lag i utvikling. Gjerne med mange unge spillere i laget, som blir bedre og bedre. Skulle det ta to år er det i orden for meg, om vi så feier over divisjonen i andre sesong. Litt som under Bielsa.

Holder litt med Moscowhite i at jeg skulle ønske vi vant Championship, men "slapp" å rykke opp til PL. I alle fall det Premier League har blitt. For du verden, det syns jeg ikke lenger er noe forjettet land i det hele tatt... Dessverre er det til den typen fotball vi ønsker å komme.

[Asbjørn]

De var unge hele gjengen. Men Archie tar nok ung-rekorden, sikkert allerede til helgen...
(Spørsmålet er vel om ikke Harry tar innersvingen på hele gjengen )

LUFCDATA
@LUFCDATA

Archie Gray could become the youngest member of his family to make his senior debut for Leeds if he features against Cardiff on Sunday:

◉ Archie Gray: 17 years, 147 days
◉ Andy Gray: 17 years, 308 days
◉ Eddie Gray: 17 years, 350 days
◉ Frank Gray: 18 years, 106 days

PS! Mener Frank Gray hadde den tøffeste konkurransesituasjonen da han debuterte)

[Asbjørn]

Harry har farget håret siden sist...Her med storebroren og et søskenbarn



Og her er en av coachene hans som legger ut fra arbeidet han gjør


Integer Football
@integerfootball

Harry Gray putting in the work 💪💨🥶
In football acceleration and deceleration is everything! Drills like these help you improve! 💯🔥

https://twitter.com/integerfootball/status/1691124374366306304?s=20

[Asbjørn]

Håååper dere tilgir at eg poster en del Harry-things i Archies tråd ... men kom over denne glimrende kavalkaden over Harry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRFuw4-wlEI

Ser i kommentarene under at gutten allerede er 14/15 år så han har jo allerede jevnaldrende som spiller på U18. Hvorfor Harry også ikke er flyttet opp kan man jo lure på. Vil de spare ham oppmerksomheten, mangler han litt fysikk i forhold til Finlay Gorman (se U18-tråden...)? eller er han pr tiden skadet kanskje???

[Asbjørn]

Veldig, veldig bra!!!

Archie Gray not going away with England's U19s. Leeds United withdrawing him from the squad because of a minor fitness concern. Tyring to manage his load and make sure he's fit for Millwall. Played in every game so far this season. #lufc

https://twitter.com/PhilHay_/status/1698023410830328086?s=20

[Hallgeir *]

Her har vi fått fram et stort talent. Det som imponerer meg aller mest, er den roen han spiller med. Han er så sikker på seg selv, stresser aldri.

Så har han en tendens til å fade litt ut i siste halvdel av andre omgang, men det er vel ikke annet å vente, alderen tatt i betraktning.

Når vi nå har fått en sterkere midtbane, kan Farke bytte han ut litt tidligere, kanskje rundt 70 minutter spilt. Men så langt fortjener han definitivt å starte kampene.

[sportcarl1]

Her har vi fått fram et stort talent. Det som imponerer meg aller mest, er den roen han spiller med. Han er så sikker på seg selv, stresser aldri.

Så har han en tendens til å fade litt ut i siste halvdel av andre omgang, men det er vel ikke annet å vente, alderen tatt i betraktning.

Når vi nå har fått en sterkere midtbane, kan Farke bytte han ut litt tidligere, kanskje rundt 70 minutter spilt. Men så langt fortjener han definitivt å starte kampene.

instämmer, han är värd sin startplats

[Asbjørn]

For de som ikke har hørt Archie Gray-sangen, her er det bare å øve på teksten
https://x.com/tommy_lufc/status/1703456829722824734?s=20

[Asbjørn]

Grandonkel Eddie snakker med Archie i sju minutter - verdt en listen

https://video.leedsunited.com/video/dm9kJTdDMF80dWJ2Y205NCU3QyUyRnBhZ2UlM0ZzbHVnJTNEaG9tZSU3Q2hvbWUlMkZmZWVk

[Asbjørn]

Ayling har ikke fungert spesielt godt på høyrebacken i det siste...

*jojo, vi kan alltids prøve Archie der ute - han har jo noen kamper der for Leeds U23 og England U17...* 

Tar med Farkes svar mht Archie post Bristol C game:
When the term sheet came out, we weren't quite sure how you're going to set up and Bristol City said they were surprised that Archie Gray was right back. Why did he decide to go with Archie?

Well, first of all, I have to give all the compliments to Archie because one thing is you can have an idea that something works and also think 'okay, the player with his strengths this way can fulfil your wishes', but it's much more important that the player brings it on the pitch and there was no guarantee that it would work today. But, we got the feeling we wanted to play today with a bit more of a technical player who plays from the full-back position, who plays from the full-back position, a bit more inverted, a bit like an additional midfield player. Also the strength of Archie Gray is his pace also in tracking the wingers because always got the feeling Bristol is good with long balls in behind, we got the feeling Archie's pace could help but especially also in possession his positioning allows Daniel James to stretch opponents a bit more, to stay a bit wider. Yes, one thing is you can have an idea but the most important topic is that you have players who bring it on the pitch and for that I think yes, Archie was there with a terrific performance, especially against the ball, but also with the ball. I think he was quite energetic in several situations and to adapt that quick to this position, it says it all about him as a character and about his potential.

Will Archie go away for international games now and are you happy for him to go away?

Yes, he will go away. If I'm honest, I would love to put him into cotton wool, but we also have to respect that there are sometimes also bigger, bigger ambitions that we can't hide him right now each and every time.


Yes, we all get the feeling that yes, he has so many games right now really on a proper adult level. We prefer that he is called up for the proper Three Lions but that's a bit too soon. So we have to wait a bit and calm everything down but he will definitely go away. Hopefully he doesn't have to play all three games I think it's this time around. Yes, but we'll see so hopefully he comes out back without an injury. But the good thing is with him he's blessed with a good body and also has good endurance and hopefully it's also beneficial.

Did you work all week on that system with him at right back?

No, because we didn't have the time. We had the game on Wednesday and yes, we spoke about a few technical things but was also pretty brave decision I would say because a young player to adapt to this role is also quite difficult. But yes, we got the feeling especially for this game, we need a bit more of a player who can also play a bit more inverted and is a bit more like a midfield player. So Archie has the skills. I know that he also played on youth level a few times on this position and we got the feeling okay, it's perhaps enough also to speak about what he should do, what he has to do on that, give him some advice and then he brings it on the pitch in this terrific way. There was no guarantee and for that all the compliments and all the praise goes to him today. He deserves it.

On Archie and that inverted role, some of the managers like Pep are doing it with their players. Did you look at that and say he can do the same?

No, was today not inspired by Pep, was not by Jurgen, because we played this six years ago with Norwich a few times. So I know that it's always the topic. It's not the right tactical choice for each and every game, sometimes you also want your full-back to stretch your opponent that always depends a bit on the strength of the opponent, the positioning of their wingers or their system, how the base formation is, also like how the qualities of the other players on the pitch is, but today we got the feeling it's the right choice. Especially with Daniel James who has the quality to stretch opponents and the last row, to play him then on the right wing to stretch opponents. We got the feeling it would be a good choice and I think it paid off.

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/every-word-farke-leeds-bristol-27864809

[Asbjørn]

Tar med denne tweeten av historiske årsaker

Don't want any credit for this whatsoever but I coached Archie Gray at Pannal Sports for a couple of years around 9-11 yrs of age. He had an amazing mop of curly hair that would get in his eyes. I played him upfront as his touch was great. Seeing how he's developed is brilliant👌

https://x.com/GraemeBandeira/status/1720734620948328854?s=20

Tar med litt fra tråden:
Graham Smyth med banter:
They reckon he'd actually be in the full England team now if it wasn't for those two years.

Bandeira igjen:
- 🤣 He probably is to be fair. Top kid. His whole family are wonderful
- Nah I just integrated him into a team to enjoy himself and did the basics in sessions. His younger brother.....watch this space
- 🤣 not quite mate. It's amazing seeing him so comfortable on the ball in any area of the pitch. He's a very shy, cool customer and hopefully he'll get an England opportunity in the coming years. His touch and ease on the ball has definitely been there from a young age

[Asbjørn]

The Guardian er de første med et skikkelig intervju med Archie:

Archie Gray: 'My childhood dream was to win the Champions League with Leeds'
Ross Heppenstall
Gray, one of the best prospects in the British game, is following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-uncle at Leeds

Fri 8 Dec 2023 09.00 CET
It is the end of a long day for Archie Gray and the 17-year-old is sitting in the canteen at Leeds United's Thorp Arch training ground, reflecting on a rise that has marked him out as one of the best young prospects in the British game.

The boyhood Leeds fan has been at the club since he was seven, made the bench for a Premier League game against Arsenal aged 15 and is a regular in a side chasing an instant top-flight return.

Gray made his debut in the Championship opener at home to Cardiff on 6 August and has featured in all but one of Leeds's 21 games this season, starting 18. The precociously talented 6ft 2in midfielder, who has captained England at youth level, is tipped for the very top. That his father, Andy, grandfather Frank and great-uncle Eddie played for Leeds adds huge intrigue to his rise.

"I'm a bit too young to remember many of my dad's games but I've watched clips of him, Frank and Eddie on YouTube," Gray, the eldest of four brothers, says in his first major newspaper interview. "I love watching Eddie's goal against Burnley when he went past about four players and scored. Seeing what they achieved is inspiring and makes you want to go one better. As a family we're really close."

So highly rated was Gray by the former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa that he was brought into the first-team squad two years ago while studying for his GCSEs.

"Bielsa wanted me to train probably every day," says Gray, whose composure and skill on the pitch are matched by calm assuredness off it. "Some weeks I'd be in school two days a week, other times it would be three days. The club and school had to come to an agreement but I passed my exams, so it worked out well."

When Gray was an unused substitute for an injury-hit Leeds against Arsenal at Elland Road in December 2021 it was clear his star was on the rise. "Just being on the bench was absolutely mental because I was 15," he says with a huge smile. "My friends and people in school started looking up to me and from that moment everything changed.

"One day I'm in the stands and watching the games on TV as a fan and then I'm on the bench in a Premier League game against Arsenal. These guys were my heroes and I'm training with them – it was unreal. You watch everyone in training and learn so much."

Was he disappointed not to come on against Arsenal? "Deep down, I wasn't expecting to because it was Arsenal and I was still at school. It wouldn't really be normal for a 15-year-old to be playing first-team football or even make his debut. I just realised how lucky I was to be in that position and to be patient."

Gray was injured for much of last season as Leeds were relegated after three years in the Premier League, but the summer heralded a new era. 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, took 100% control of the club and Daniel Farke arrived as manager.

After a slow start, Farke has led a youthful side to third after seven straight home wins. They will be backed by more than 7,000 supporters at Blackburn on Saturday lunchtime.

"My dad has always said that pre-season is the time to make a good first impression on the manager and that starts with your fitness. I worked really hard and tried to impress in pre-season, then made my debut against Cardiff and thought I did OK.

"Obviously I was proud of myself but I didn't really celebrate – we just went out for a meal as a family. I've still got so much more to prove and to improve on, but the manager has been brilliant and put so much faith in me. In pre-season I set a goal of playing as much as possible but I've definitely exceeded my expectations."

Gray played alongside the new signing Ethan Ampadu in midfield before being switched to right-back in early October. It has not fazed the teenager, who says the on-loan Tottenham defender Joe Rodon has helped him adapt.

"It's good to learn different perspectives of the game," Gray says. "Playing right-back is allowing me to understand the game even more for when I go back into midfield. You see players like James Milner playing different positions every game.

"If I become anywhere near as good as him it would be unbelievable. I think my best position will be as a box-to-box midfielder but, as the game is changing, you have to be increasingly adaptable."

Until Gray turns 18 he must use a separate changing room from the first-team squad owing to safeguarding regulations. "It's crazy getting changed by yourself but then running out to play with your teammates," he says. "It is what it is, but as soon as I turn 18 I can't wait to be around the lads a bit more."

As a young child Gray was influenced by Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi and says his mum, Giorgina, and Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham are among his biggest inspirations now.

"My mum works unbelievably hard; she runs marathons and trains every single day," he says. "Bellingham is definitely a player I look up to because he's doing amazingly well. He's shown there's a pathway with the England system and he won't be the last one to do it. Hopefully in the future that can happen for me too."

Gray's younger brother Harry, a 15-year-old striker, plays for Leeds's academy and for England at youth level. "I wouldn't tell him this myself, but it's my dream to play with Harry one day," says Gray. "I just don't know how we'd get along in training as we're so competitive in everything we do and always have been. We'd have to be on the same team but as brothers we're really close."

Deeply grounded but fiercely ambitious, Gray says: "My childhood dream was to win the Champions League with Leeds, captain England at senior level and win a Ballon d'Or. I'm still really young, so there's a long way to go before any of that happens. But I believe I've got the ability to do it."

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/08/archie-gray-my-childhood-dream-was-to-win-the-champions-league-with-leeds

[viking]

Blir spennende å se hvor det første seriøse budet på Archie kommer fra.

[Albert Johanneson]

...eller Archie Gray, som vi vel kjenner han som. 


Hvor fremkommer det at han er døpt Archibald Gray? Familien har lengre dåpsnavn; Eddie = Edwin  Frank = Francis, Andy = Andrew, Harry = Harrison, men finner ingen annen info, utenom dette forumet , enn at han heter Archie James Francis Gray :-)

[Asbjørn]

...eller Archie Gray, som vi vel kjenner han som. 


Hvor fremkommer det at han er døpt Archibald Gray? Familien har lengre dåpsnavn; Eddie = Edwin  Frank = Francis, Andy = Andrew, Harry = Harrison, men finner ingen annen info, utenom dette forumet , enn at han heter Archie James Francis Gray :-)

Godt spørsmål. Husker det som at det stod til høyre i en klamme inne på wikipediasiden hans. Men wikipedia blir jo redigert hele tiden... Som du skriver, det står Archie overalt ellers.
Som du er inne på, de andre i familien har jo andre døpenavn enn det de er kjent for innen fotballen så det ville jo vært naturlig om det gjaldt Archie også.
Anyways, det er vel større aksept i dag for et døpenavn ala Archie i dag enn for noen tiår siden. Tom Lund ble jo i sin tid nektet å døpes Tommy, ville nok ikke skjedd i dag.

Dette er absolutt noe å spørre Eddie om neste gang våre veier møtes. 🙂

[Hallgeir *]

Ny kontrakt på Archie. 

Gray commits future to the club.

Leeds United are delighted to announce Archie Gray has signed a new contract with the club.

The 17-year-old, who signed his first professional contract last year, has now agreed fresh terms on a deal, committing his long-term future at Elland Road.

Gray has been one of the first names on the team sheet under Leeds manager Daniel Farke this season, after making his debut in the opening game of the campaign against Cardiff City.

He has gone on to make a total of 28 appearances in all competitions for the Whites, playing in both central midfield and at right-back.

His latest outing came in last Saturday's 3-0 Sky Bet Championship away victory at Cardiff City, where he equaled a club record, for the most starts by a player before the age of 18, after making his 26th at Cardiff City Stadium.

In 2023, Gray also continued his progression at international level, earning his first cap for England Under-20s.

He has also previously been capped at Under-15 to Under-19 level and has captained his country at both Under-15 and Under-16 level.

Having become the latest player to progress from the academy to the first team, following in the footsteps of many famous names down the years, the club are delighted Gray, a boyhood Leeds United supporter, has pledged his future to the Whites.

https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/32740/archie-gray-signs-new-deal?fbclid=IwAR12GMup0yXRzOOHlRytOhH6hOK3F_NO2-busdj2tfldJ596AIWsi0f8fvQ

[auren]

PhilHay_
Archie Gray has agreed a new contract with Leeds United. Runs to 2028 and will replace a previous deal which was due to expire in 2025. Hugely talented, and big news for the club.


auren


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