Gray area clears up
FARKE RECKONS KID ARCHIE CAN GO ALL WAY WITH LIONS
ARCHIE GRAY has been told “the sky is the limit” after taking a significant step towards the senior England side.
The hot prospect has made staggering progress since making his Leeds debut in their season-opener last August.
When Millwall arrive at Elland Road today, Gray will make his 41st appearance of the season, having just turned 18 on Tuesday.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate name-checked Gray as a star of the future on Thursday and the teenager earned a maiden call-up to the England Under-21s squad the following day.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke (below) has overseen Gray’s dramatic rise this term and said: “Archie is, without any doubt, one of the biggest talents in his age group in this country.
“If you’re one of the biggest talents then you have the potential to reach everything.
“For Archie, the sky is the limit. But it’s not about saying one day he will be there and one day he will be there.
“You have to live in the here and now because there are still many aspects where he can learn and improve.
“He has to develop a bit more and we’re working with him.
“If he continues with this work ethic and professionalism, he has all the chance to reach everything that he wants. He has represented his country at youth level and he obviously has the potential to do it with the full Three Lions.
“That’s definitely a fact but it’s also not beneficial to put too much weight on these young lads too early.
“I can try and develop Archie and bring him close to the door but he has to make the step through it. All credit goes to him.”
Gray has already represented England at various age groups and is continuing a strong family dynasty at
Leeds.
Dad Andy, grandfather Frank and great-uncle Eddie all played for the Yorkshire giants, while Archie’s little brother Harry, a 15-year-old striker, is also in the Elland Road youth ranks. Farke pointed to the strong family influence behind Gray’s emergence this season, adding: “Archie’s family gave him all his values, work ethic and professionalism. “When I met him just a year ago, this was already built into his character. “I tried to give him small details but the foundations were already there. “All credit goes to his mother and father and also to the older generation of his family – and Archie himself of course.”