Tottenham Hotspur could have started Pedro Porro against Crystal Palace this weekend, but after the game, Roberto De Zerbi informed reporters that the Spanish right back had told him that he didn't feel ready to start yet. So Spurs wisely held Porro out amidst continued fitness and injury issues following a grueling World Cup campaign with La Roja, though the world class fullback did come into the game in the second half and looked pretty sharp.
Archie Gray drew the start again for Spurs vs. Palace and was brilliant for the first half he played before being taken out owing to a yellow card and to Roberto De Zerbi wanting to give Porro some more minutes than the previous week off the bench against Chelsea.
Not only did Gray score the opening goal with a header from a Mohammed Kudus corner, but the young English midfielder continued to acquit himself well at the right back position. He has steadily grown into his new role as the backup to Porro and the emergency option, and he was so good against both Chelsea and Crystal Palace in these latest clean sheet victories that he is honestly even more than just an emergency choice for De Zerbi.
Archie Gray can help Tottenham in two key ways
Tottenham Hotspur will face Gray's former employers Leeds United next weekend in the Premier League, and since the Peacocks like to play more on the counter with Spurs set to have the majority of the possession as they did against the Eagles this past weekend, Archie Gray really could be the best option for Spurs to win.
Pedro Porro could honestly use the extra rest through the international break in November until Spurs play again later in the month, while having Gray as that auxillary midfielder completing close to every single one of 100 pass attempts while getting into the box and being a goal threat could be the best tactical setup as a whole for Tottenham.
So Gray gives Tottenham two advantages as a starter against Leeds, maybe three if you count a certain revenge factor of playing a former team. The first is the rest and the pressure off Porro, who should be the best right back in the Premier League when he is 100 percent. And then the second is that ability to be an extra midfielder in possession and even off the ball in terms of crashing the box and scoring, which is what Tottenham need above all else right now given their goal scoring weaknesses.
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