'Archie Gray can be generational talent like Jude Bellingham' - Expert view on Tottenham signing

Archie Gray has the potential to be compared to Jude Bellingham and can be a generational talent, a regular member of the Leeds United press pack has said of Tottenham's new signing.

The 18-year-old was named Championship Young Player of the Year last season and was snapped up by Spurs on Tuesday after putting pen to paper on a six-year contract with the Premier League club. Tottenham agreed a transfer deal with Leeds that cost them just over £25million with Joe Rodon heading in the opposite direction in an overall package worth around £40million, which met the threshold for a clause within Gray's contract after Leeds failed to earn promotion last season.

Having watched Gray week in, week out over a season in which the teenager played 52 times for his boyhood club, we asked Leeds Live's United reporter Beren Cross a series of questions about the young starlet. Here's the lowdown he gave us.

How have the Leeds fans taken this move?

In short: with disappointment and sadness. Gray had become the pin-up for so many supporters over the course of that first season in the first team. As an 18-year-old academy graduate with the hallmarks of the best Leeds product in decades, with that surname, many had pinned their hopes on Gray becoming the heartbeat of the team for at least two or three more years. Regardless of the reasons behind the transfer, it is a tough one to swallow.

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What makes Archie Gray so special?

That’s a very tough question to answer. The bottom line is, for every attribute you describe, it’s set against the context he is still only 18 years old. It’s remarkable how composed and intelligent he is with such little senior experience of the game.

He’s not flawless, of course. There have been games where he has struggled, but those were rare and often playing in his weaker position of right-back against tricky wingers on the back of five matches in 20 or 25 days.

He’s a fighter too. He does not shirk challenges. He is not cowed by anyone, despite his tender years and slender frame. When a boot needs putting in, he’ll put it in. His control at close quarters with opponents always caught the eye too. He rarely gave the ball away and would find his way out of tight spots.

There’s the obvious stuff he can do too, like threading a pass over long and short distances. Goals and assists didn’t flow, but he spent the majority of the year at right-back.

Is he ready for the Premier League?

Yes. Many Spurs fans will have already seen the compilation of highlights from his FA Cup appearance at Chelsea last season. In one match, playing in midfield, he ran the game despite being faced with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.

Postecoglou wants players to play without fear and always looking to pass and move forward quickly - does that suit Archie's style?

Yes, you can read the above descriptions. He is fearless and he has the technical ability to do whatever Postecoglou wants him to do with the ball.

What position do you think he will eventually settle into as his main one?

I can’t predict what Tottenham will do with him, but I know he sees himself as a midfielder. Ultimately, he’s too good to be a right-back. As his game becomes more complete, he has to be at the heart of things.

How will he get on with the big stars in the dressing room?

Well, he’s very polite, humble and popular at Leeds, so I would imagine very well.

He had a strong bond with the Leeds fans thanks to his family heritage, is he the type the Spurs fans will take to without that?

Absolutely. What fan doesn’t love a brave, technically gifted, hard-working fighter?

What can Tottenham expect from him over the years to come?

Well, I noticed on the Gold and Guest podcast there was a reluctance to mention Jude Bellingham too frequently, but that’s the kind of comparison we have been making at Elland Road. Nobody can be sure he will be as good as Bellingham, but this is the type of company we think he will eventually keep.

If he’s this good at 18, with the right environment, there is only one direction he can go in. Gareth Southgate was dropping his name in press conferences last season after one senior season of football that was spent in the Championship. He can be a generational talent.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham featuring lots of chat on Archie Gray by clicking here! In depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

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