Forecast is Gray after bright start
DEMARAI GRAY is set to sign a bumper new £ 50,000- a- week contract at Leicester.
New boss Claude Puel only has to convince the 21- year- old that he is a big part of his plans to get the £ 10million, four- year deal over the line.
Gray got off to a fl ying start under Puel, helping the Frenchman to a win in his fi rst game in charge in the 2- 0 triumph over Everton on Sunday.
The speedy winger made Leicester’s fi rst and ‘ scored’ the second with the help of a massive defl ection.
Gray has grown frustrated by the limited amount of game- time he had under the previous regimes of both Claudio Ranieri and Craig Shakespeare.
The England Under- 21 star’s bargaining strength has certainly been helped by Bournemouth’s £ 25m bid to land him in the summer.
Cherries boss Eddie Howe failed with two attempts to lure Gray away from the King Power Stadium, and a number of other clubs have also been watching developments closely.
The player is confi dent that negotiations at Leicester will be successful.
Gray said: “Everyone is communicating so I think it eventually should be sorted. That’s for my representative and the backroom staff to deal with.
“All I can do is what I’ve done against Everton and when it comes to getting sorted out, we’ll get to it.
“We obviously wanted to see who the new manager was and stuff, a bit of stability, but I am happy playing my football here and will let my representatives deal with that side of it.”
Gray believes life under Puel, renowned for bringing youngsters through, could be productive. “It’s good. We have a good team and a lot of depth. It’s good for me and players like Ben Chilwell when there’s faith in the younger players,” said Gray.
“It’s good to have that type of manager behind us. I’m feeling good. “I’m always prepared. I’ve always said I’m ready to play and I’ve waited a long time. Hopefully now this can be a start of a run of games for me.
“It’s what I need, to get some confi dence and momentum myself and most importantly develop as a player. As long as I’m working hard I’m sure I can get that under the boss.
“He didn’t say too much to me before the game.
“He just told me to do what I do best. After the game he praised me for my work and my football and that’s good for my confi dence.”
Puel also gave Riyad Mahrez a more central role and the Moroccan responded by showing some of the form that earned him the player- of- the- year gong in the title- winning season.
Mahrez, who lobbied for a move away in the summer and is said to be a target for Marseille in the January transfer window, set up the opening goal for Vardy with a pinpoint cross.
Puel said: “In the fi rst half it was very interesting to see him because he is free when he plays just behind Vardy. “He can make a good assist and penetration. He has qualities and he is a talented player.”
Manager has faith in younger players