Archie Gray is one of the key players whose stock has been flying high at Tottenham Hotspur this summer in the preseason, as the England youth international even wore the captain's armband in a couple of matches. While manager Roberto De Zerbi played him as a right back in the big friendly against Premier League rivals Chelsea and made comments suggesting that Gray had better get used to playing in other positions, he also praised the young man for being willing to do so.
And that's a big reason why De Zerbi already sees the 20 year old as a key figure and a leader despite him being the No. 3 center midfielder on the depth chart after the blockbuster signings of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali for nearly 200 million pounds combined.
De Zerbi and ambitious coaches like this appreciate the players who are willing to put their heads down and work to win for the club above all else. And in praising Gray for that and making him a captain, he has taken a subtle shot at Lucas Bergvall, the No. 8 who De Zerbi publicly admits is upset he does not get to play the pivot position.
Archie Gray is willing to do what it takes
While De Zerbi and Tottenham Hotspur are working to convince the Swedish international to stay, the have also made it abundantly clear that they are not going to beg. If Bergvall does not want to be a part of the project and does not believe in taking minutes off the bench to prove himself and help Spurs win in this role, then he can go, even if it means selling him to Nottingham Forest, which is far from ideal.
This preseason, Roberto De Zerbi, even if he is not outright doing so, is highlighting the difference in character between Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Whereas one of them is willing to play even right back to help the team win, including in a preseason friendly, and has no qualms with backing up new stars in Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, the other has been playing worse and is complaining about playing other midfield positions besides his favorite one.
Bergvall is going to have to realize that if he wants to make it in football at any big club, he is going to have to be willing to take what he is given and make the most of the opportunities, like Gray. That is what makes Gray more respected and probably more successful thus far.
Add us as a preferred source on Google