Young Tottenham Hotspur defensive midfielder Archie Gray was one of the most important players on the team in the 2025/26 Premier League season, and while Roberto De Zerbi relied more on the veterans, reverting back to the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and even Yves Bissouma when he took over, so that the experience would help them stay up, it's fair to say that without Gray, Spurs would have been relegated, too.
The gem midfielder from Leeds United was easily Spurs best player when they were at their worst as the calendar flipped, and his leadership, courage, and quality on the ball helped Spurs eke out points where they did not deserve them.
Tottenham have made sweeping midfield upgrades this summer transfer window in the form of a 185 million pound double swoop on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, who are two of the top 10 players in the position in the Premier League right now.
Archie Gray is going to be playing right back more
But Tottenham fans are still hoping for a big role for Archie Gray. And on the one hand, Roberto De Zerbi made him the captain in most of Tottenham's preseason matches this summer. But on the other hand, most of Gray's minutes came at right back to give Pedro Porro rest with Djed Spence getting sold to Serie A giants Inter Milan.
Speaking to the press before Tottenham's first game of the 2026/27 Premier League season this weekend against formidable local rivals Brentford, Roberto De Zerbi confirmed what Tottenham Hotspur fans were suspecting for several weeks but did not want to hear admitted by the manager: Gray is going to be the backup right back.
De Zerbi stated that Spurs currently have no plans to sign a backup right back for Pedro Porro after the Djed Spence sale to Italy, as RDZ wants a lean squad and sees no need to go for a new signing. Notably, Tottenham have not been credibly linked to a single right back transfer target either before or after selling Spence to the Nerazzurri.
The manager told reporters, via Alasdair Gold of Football.London, "In this moment no, we have Archie Gray, he prefers playing in the midfield position, but he can play very well also as a right-back. I think we are good. I don't want 25, 26 players, I want 21, 22, that's enough."
While playing a brilliant young footballer out of position is hardly great for their development, Gray is already the fifth captain of the team and a future leader; he is not going to make a stink about this. And while it is not ideal, it is not as bad as Ange Postecoglou playing Gray at center back for no good reason - and if anyone can get something out of being used out of position in the right side, then it is Gray. Far from ideal but not the worst thing, as long as he still gets minutes in midfield - and this doesn't become a regular thing next year.
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