After a slow start to his Tottenham career, former Leeds United star Archie Gray is now getting a consistent run in the team and showing why Spurs paid £40million for his services.

The 18-year-old left Elland Road back in July to join Ange Postecoglou's side after Leeds failed to earn promotion back to the Premier League. Gray made 52 appearances across all competitions for the Whites last season, with the vast majority of those at right-back, though a handful came in midfield.

At the start of his Tottenham career, Gray struggled for regular game time. He played just 46 minutes across their first 13 Premier League matches and was used more in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup. However, the teenager has become a mainstay in the Spurs side in recent weeks.

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Gray has started in each of Tottenham's last eight games across all competitions, with five of them coming in the Premier League. Unlike where he played at Leeds - either at right-back or in midfield - Postecoglou has decided to use Gray at centre-back in the absence of Cristian Romero, Ben Davies and Micky van de Ven.

Although Gray didn't look comfortable in that role when he was first put in, he is now much more accomplished and looks the part in the centre of that Spurs back-line. And Gray helped Tottenham keep just their second clean sheet in 12 matches with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Gray put in an impressive performance alongside Radu Dragusin and Postecoglou was full of praise for the ex-Leeds man in his post-match press conference. He said: "In a position he's never played mate, you know, he's never played.

"An 18-year-old. Name me another Premier League team with two 18-year-olds [Gray and Bergvall], one playing out of position consistently. I'm so happy they're at our club and you know, in two or three years' time, I just pray to God I'm the beneficiary of their talent, mate. If somebody else is getting it, I won't be happy."

Jamie O'Hara, meanwhile, was in awe of Gray's display. Shortly after Spurs signed him from Leeds in the summer, the talkSPORT presenter criticised the club's decision to sign him for such a steep fee, but it appears he has now changed his tune with Gray excelling on a regular basis.

He said on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Archie Gray has been superb," followed by three clapping emojis.

On paper, Leeds getting £40m for an 18-year-old with one season of first-team experience in the Championship looked a top deal at the time. But now, considering his performances against some of the best teams in world football, including Liverpool, does that sum of money not seem enough?

Some have suggested that Tottenham got a 'bargain' in Gray, while others have praised Spurs for getting someone of his potential and ability for such a fee. There has been talk that he could be in contention for his first senior England call-up under Thomas Tuchel following his impressive displays.

However, considering that Leeds are in the Championship, it's argued that Leeds might not have been able to demand much more for him with their Profit and Sustainability (PSR) position precarious. It felt a good deal for both parties in the summer and at the moment it should remain that way.

If Gray keeps performing at such a level and getting even better, Leeds might rue not getting promoted and winning the play-off final at Wembley, as he could be progressing and performing at the Whites right now.