Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has brought a lot of fire to the club in just a couple of short months, sparing the Big Six side's relegation blushes and bringing the confidence back to some of the team's most touted players, especially defenders Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro. The latter literally went on to become the best right back at the 2026 World Cup, hoisting the trophy for Spain.
But there are some players who have not had as fruitful of a start under De Zerbi and have legitimate worries about their futures. Lucas Bergvall, for example, already submitted a transfer request, doing so before even Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes officially arrived as De Zerbi's new big mifield signings at N17.
Archie Gray has not shown any signs of issues, but Tottenham fans were perplexed as to how Gray ended up riding the bench under De Zerbi despite literally being the team's best player for months - a beacon of hope during their darkest hour as they slid into the relegation abyss.
Archie Gray has to do it
Roberto De Zerbi leaned on the veterans to help get Tottenham Hotspur out of the relegation zone, and this was particualrly true in midfield with Conor Gallagher and Rodrigo Bentancur. Now, this summer, De Zerbi has told reporters about how he feels about young players to address the concerns some fans have.
The Italian coach said, via Hotspur Lane, “I'm used to working with young players. I gave in my career big time and space for young players, but they have to show me they are able to play and they are good players. I never start from the age of the players. From the qualities? Yes. From the attitude and behaviours? Yes. But not for the age.”
Although there are several young players at Tottenham who are pining for minutes going into the 2026/27 Premier League season, no player is in a more intriguing position than Archie Gray, who was incredible at times last season and has more upside than most players in the Spurs first team; he could very well be just as brilliant as Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, even as early as next season.
But as De Zerbi says, he has to "show" it. Gray has shown it, but De Zerbi is a demanding manager and will want to see it at the highest levle game after game. He has made iet clear he has nothing against any player and will play anyone regardless of age. Now the challenge is for Gray and the others to do it with whatever opportunity they get.
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