Why Rio Ferdinand âfeels sorryâ for Archie Gray after trading Leeds United for Tottenham
If you had told Archie Gray that by the end of the March international break, he would have played 46 games for club and country after his move from Leeds to Tottenham â he would have been delighted.
Last season, Archie Gray threw himself onto the radar of some of the worldâs biggest clubs after playing more than 50 games in one season at Elland Road. Right-back, central midfield and even as a no.10 once.
But Leeds failed to get promoted and the club needed to sell to balance the books. Angus Kinnear made it clear that Leeds had to sell two â and off went Gray to Spurs and Crysencio Summerville to West Ham.
Georginio Rutter followed because his release clause was activated later on. Since his move to Spurs, Gray has enjoyed much more game time than he might have imagined â playing 38 times in all competitions.
Why Rio Ferdinand feels sorry for Archie Gray after Leeds exit
However, while Gray has impressed, his game time has only come about because of Ange Postecoglouâs injury issues. It has seen Gray play as a centre-back mostly, rarely getting a chance in central midfield.
Postecoglou did throw Gray into midfield last time out against Fulham, but the Tottenham manager was the subject of backlash when he put Gray back into defence at 0-0 â and Fulham going on to win 2-0.
Speaking to Djed Spence on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand said he feels sorry for Gray, as he plays out of position: âI feel sorry for him. Heâs a young kid playing out of position, unfortunately for him.
âBut Iâve said to him â this could be one of the most-valuable times of your career. Getting minutes early, in a different position, seeing things from a different picture, could really enhance him in the future.â
Rio Ferdinand is not the first to say he feels sorry for Archie Gray
Indeed, during Tottenhamâs loss to Newcastle United at home earlier this season, Ally McCoist was on commentary duty for TNT Sports. McCoist says he also felt sorry for Gray having to play out of position.
But ask Gray himself, and he will tell you he is delighted with the way the season has gone. Joining as an 18-year-old and only one senior season under his belt, he cannot have expected to get huge game time.
And yet Gray â who turned 19 earlier this month â has clocked up 38 games for Spurs and now has 90 senior club appearances in total. He should reach a century of matches before the end of the season.
