Leeds United employee shares Archie Gray claim after intriguing development
Noel Whelan has backed “seriously talented” Leeds United youngster Archie Gray to play his first senior games in the cup competitions this season.
The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted gaining experience alongside the first-team during pre-season will do the 16-year-old “the world of good”.
Gray made his first-team bow on Thursday (7 July) as Leeds United defeated Blackpool 4-0 in their first pre-season friendly of the summer.
As quoted by the Yorkshire Post post-match, manager Jesse Marsch was full of praise for the starlet – insisting he is part of the first-team at Elland Road and “will play” this season.
Gray looks set to follow in the footsteps of grandfather Frank and uncle Eddie – who both enjoyed illustrious careers at Leeds United.
When asked if the youngster could see some meaningful action in the 2022-23 season, Whelan told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think so.
“He’s that sort of player now. He’s not going to be bursting straight into the first team by any means, even if James Milner did it, it’s a slow progression.
“But he’s at that level now where I do believe he will get game time – because he’s seriously talented.
“It may be more in the cup competitions if he is out there for Leeds United, but it will do him the world of good just to mix it with senior players and get that experience.
“Everyone has really high hopes for Archie Gray. He’s very nice to watch, very easy on the eye.
“Taking part in these games and getting used to being a part of that first team, it’s so important for him to feel like he belongs there.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire issues “emphatic” claim as Leeds United pull “£2m” U-turn.