Archie Gray has become one of the most respected players at Tottenham Hotspur despite only being 20 years old, and it says a lot about the England youth international's quality that he has remained important to the Lilywhites despite playing under Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank. While the latter was the worst of the two managers, Gray was actually more disrespected by the former, left to be criticized heavily in the media and even branded an early flop by some all because Big Ange kept playing him as a center back.
But in the center of the midfield, Gray was impervious last season, showing great command and control over the middle of the park even when Tottenham were at their absolute worst under Frank and Igor Tudor, sliding into the Premier League relegation abyss.
Spots are going to be tougher next season, though, because Tottenham have signed Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes for Roberto De Zerbi this summer transfer window, investing heavily in potential world class midfielders they need to sign. Gray, though, is also a potential world class midfielder, and in case he were forgotten or neglected, he reminded De Zerbi that he is still here and ready to be the leader.
Archie Gray is already a leader
Because in the game against Auckland FC in Spurs last preseason matchup, Archie Gray did not just start, he also wore the captain's arm band. And he was the best player on the pitch, delivering a beautiful pass to Manor Solomon for the opener while totally bossing the midfield, showing a level of class on the ball that looked like it could match Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, even against inferior competition.
But there was another thing about Gray's performance that was incredible. In addition, to the great passing and the class in possession, Gray did come across like a man wearing the arm band. Despite only being 20 years of age himself, he marshalled the prospects well, giving great feedback to Luca Williams-Barnett and the others around him as Spurs were a well oiled machine with him running the show.
Gray will not get too many opportunities to be the main focus for Spurs with Tonali and Fernandes coming in and even Rodrigo Bentancur and Conor Gallagher still there, as Gallagher is, bizarrely, valued highly by Roberto De Zerbi.
But with plenty of matches still available in the FA Cup and League Cup, Gray will get his chances to start, and he reminded the Italian manager that he has more than enough quality to run the show in the future and even now.
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