Leeds United coach Daniel Farke has indicated that teen sensation Archie Gray may have a part to play in the Championship next term after an impressive pre-season.
Ethan Ampadu has only been a Leeds United player for a matter of days; the Yorkshire giants completing a £7 million deal with Chelsea on July 19th.
It’s telling, then, that Ampadu needed only a few training sessions – and a 2-0 pre-season defeat to French giants Monaco – to realise what many within the walls of Elland Road have known for some time. That 17-year-old Archie Gray is one of those rare, potentially once-in-a-generation talents.
Despite only celebrating his 17th birthday in March, Gray looked at home alongside far more experienced opposition when Monaco came to town. And Ampadu is not the only one who has been taken aback by the silky midfielder’s maturity and guile.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke is a big Archie Gray fan
“With Archie, I’m pleased with him so far,” Farke tells Leeds Live. “He’s in really good shape. He’s physically in a good condition. He has shown some really good performances in some pre-season but (we) also saw in many games what he has to improve. Where he has to improve.
“What I like about him is he’s willing to learn. He has to make a step through the door and he’s on a good path. But it’s pre-season so far so, yeah, not one proper game is played.”
Clearly, Gray still has a lot to prove if he is to find himself in Leeds’ starting XI when the Championship season kicks off at home to Cardiff City in August. But, should he continue his development, there is nothing to suggest Gray cannot become 2023/24’s answer to Ryan Sessegnon or Alex Scott, a baby-faced youngster standing out against men twice his age.
“We will see. I’m not willing to press young lads too early, because this is what many people do and then they forget about letting them play and develop,” Farke adds.
“(But) I also like to bring many, many young players through. I like to work with young players, I’m never scared. Once they are ready to play (they will play), and this is always my philosophy.
“I’m not about age. If the 17 or 18-year-old guy is ready, he plays. It’s as simple as that.”
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