Premature maybe, but Archie Gray’s ascension to Leeds United’s senior squad at 15-years-old illustrates a mentally-strong and intelligent footballer set for the top in Marcelo Bielsa’s eyes.
Gray has emerged as one of the sub-plots of this Premier League season because of his young age and confirmation as the next talent off the family production line.
Anyone with their ear to the ground at Thorp Arch in recent years will have heard the murmurings and whispers of the next generation in the Gray dynasty taking the youth ranks by storm.
The schoolboy’s appearance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium alongside the rest of the first team on the pitch pre-match effectively let the cat out of the bag on what Leeds have on their hands.
Bielsa has not been pushed frequently on Gray’s involvement, which has extended to inclusions on the bench in two of the past three Premier League games, but he’s said little before now.
The Whites head coach was asked about the midfielder in his briefing ahead of the Newcastle United clash and admitted this breakthrough was coming too early for someone so young.
“What's happened to him has been premature,” he said. “I don't think it's good for a player of his age to occupy the space he has and these opportunities. If I could have avoided it I would have done it.”
Needs must, in other words. Everyone is aware of the extent of the injury crisis at Elland Road and Gray’s inclusion is a symptom of that. GCSEs in his file or not, he’s been inside the club’s best 20 footballers available on two occasions.
Under-23s chief Mark Jackson might even admit Gray has been used more in his side than the club might have liked this season.
Those who have watched him alongside teammates and opponents four or five years older than him have seen few issues for him at Premier League 2 level.
Bielsa has no concerns Gray will make it as an elite footballer, even despite this big step he has had to take too early.
“The players, we have to put them in positions where they can assume the possibilities that arise and obviously Gray is not prepared to compete in the Premier League, but the reality took him to be there deservedly,” he said.
“Every time I form a group for the squad I always pick the best of those available. Of course, he's a player full of virtues and despite being so young he can compete, but clearly, his process has been altered to get to be a player of the elite.
“He has the resources to achieve it, he will achieve it. He's very, very strong mentally. He has the conditions and qualities to play in any sector of the pitch and apart from that, he's a player who is very, very intelligent.
“I ignore what his life is usually, but given how he behaves with us on a day-to-day basis, I can see his education is really well controlled.”
