Leeds United talent Archie Gray will find it “extremely difficult” to nail down a regular first-team spot at Elland Road, as

Archie Gray now in ‘extremely difficult’ situation at Leeds United

Leeds United talent Archie Gray is making the most of the Elland Road outfit’s return to the Championship.

Leeds United talent Archie Gray will find it “extremely difficult” to nail down a regular first-team spot at Elland Road, as journalist Dean Jones provides GIVEMESPORT with an internal verdict on the club and player’s happiness.

The Whites hope to immediately return to the Premier League under head coach Daniel Farke.

Gray had made a name for himself in Leeds’ youth sides over recent years, but was never offered the opportunity to break into the first team. However, Farke has seen something in the talented midfielder, providing him with regular Championship minutes before the season’s second international break.

Gray is making a name for himself at Leeds

Following Leeds’ relegation to the Championship, the club’s talented academy prospects may have hoped for more opportunities to break into the first-team setup. Joe Gelhardt made several Premier League appearances under Jesse Marsch, including bagging a memorable winner against Norwich City as the club scraped Premier League survival during the 2021/22 campaign. However, he has been unable to push on and stake a claim to be in the first-team.

Last season, Wilfried Gnonto signed for Leeds from FC Zurich, making his name in the U21 side before establishing himself as a critical member of the first team under Marsch, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce. Meanwhile, academy prospects such as Charlie Cresswell were sent out on loan to Championship clubs to gain senior experience before breaking into the Elland Road first-team squad.

This season has seen the breakthrough of 17-year-old midfielder Gray into the setup. The teenage talent has made 13 appearances for the Whites so far, yet to register a goal or assist from his defensive midfield position. Before Saturday’s trip to Norwich City, he had started in 82% of Leeds’ second-tier fixtures this term, establishing himself as a first-team regular under Farke.

Speaking before Gray left to represent England U19’s on international duty this month, Farke revealed he would instead have kept the starlet at the club (via LeedsLive):

Jones has recently told GIVEMESPORT that Gray must be careful when considering his future to avoid making a move that doesn’t benefit his career.

The academy product has become an instant hit with fans and reporters, dubbed an “unreal talent” by TEAMtalk editor James Marshment. However, the midfielder has a battle to nail down a regular place in Farke’s starting XI ahead of recent signings Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara.

Dean Jones update – Archie Gray

Jones believes that as long as Gray sees opportunities in this Leeds side, everybody will be happy. The journalist thinks it will be challenging for the teenager to oust Kamara from the starting lineup at Elland Road. He told GIVEMESPORT: