Leeds United will now be on the lookout for midfield reinforcements following Archie Gray’s move to Tottenham Hotspur, but there may be one waiting within.
Gray’s exit from his boyhood club was officially confirmed earlier today as he put pen-to-paper on a six-year-deal after a fee in the region of £40 million was agreed.
His move to North London brings an end to his 11-year stay through the academy and first team, but remains as an example for all those looking to breakthrough what can be achieved.
He posted on Instagram for the first time since the transfer earlier today, accompanying a long message of gratitude to everyone around the club with some brilliant photos both as a player and supporter of Leeds.
Gray made over 50 appearances for Leeds last season and so his move certainly leaves a major hole in the squad, with both a right-back and central midfielder required, if they weren’t already.
Gray’s past comments on Charlie Crew are now interesting
It will be interesting to see the sort of midfielder Leeds target as Gray’s best position long-term is very much as a box-to-box, though it wasn’t really how he was used last season.
Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev have both also been linked with top-flight moves this summer, with the former wanted by Rennes, and the latter Borussia Dortmund.
Neither of those appear to have evolved beyond initial interest at this stage, but Leeds do already have someone waiting in the wings from within ready to make the step-up in Charlie Crew.
Crew was on the bench on a handful of occasions towards the end of last season showing how highly he is rated by Daniel Farke and co.
Crew is now the same age Gray was when he was handed his senior debut against Cardiff City almost 12 months ago and pre-season could well be the opportunity to show what he can do.
He was handed his first senior cap by Wales last month and speaking about Crew back in April, Gray tipped both him and his younger brother Harry as the next two off the club’s production line.
He said: “Yeah there’s definitely loads. Charlie Crew has been training with us for a few weeks and is a really good player. Then there is my brother [Harry Gray] as well.
“He’s obviously really good but I don’t want to give him too much praise because he’s my brother and I shouldn’t be doing that. But yeah, I’d go with Charlie Crew.”
What has Daniel Farke said about Crew’s potential?
As mentioned, Crew was named in a few matchday squads towards the end of the season and Farke would not have done that if he did not rate him.
The Leeds boss urged caution when asked about Crew’s chances of first team football, but did confirm they see him as someone with a lot of potential.
He said: “Obviously Charlie Crew plays in a similar role, perhaps a bit more offensive but due to his age he can’t fulfil the role Ilia has done. You can’t dictate the rhythm of a side wanting promotion on the back of a few first-team training sessions but he’s a talent full of potential.
“We try to improve him. We see him as a high potential young player, there’s a long way to go, you can’t take it for granted a 17 year old plays day in day out like Archie. It would be unfair to put the same weight of expectations on Charlie Crew’s shoulders.”
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