Archie Gray suffering from Tottenham summer decision - 'I'm still trying to work out why...'

Archie Gray would not be receiving criticism for his performances at right-back for Tottenham Hotspur if Djed Spence had not been sold.

That is the opinion of former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 20-year-old replaced Pedro Porro from the bench as the Lilywhites lost 3-2 to Aston Villa on Saturday, and failed to make an impact.

Gray is not a natural right-back, but has emerged as Roberto De Zerbi's first choice after Tottenham failed to replace Spence.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a fantastic World Cup with England but was sold to Inter Milan for just £25million in the summer.

Tottenham reportedly eyed a late move for Nottingham Forest full-back Neco Wiliams, but their interest was knocked back.

'Archie Gray always does a good job for Tottenham'

There were high hopes for Gray this season, after he delivered strong performances from the midfield in pre-season.

But the 20-year-old is yet to have had an opportunity to return to his natural position, and continues to be thrust into right-back.

"He came off after 19 minutes, Porro, so, I don't think there's any dispute why Archie Gray had to come off the bench and had to play," King told Football Insider.

"He is a very versatile player, the boy, but it's difficult when you lose a player of that quality like Porro. But again, Archie Gray always does a good job for Tottenham.

"He's a player who's not after attention. He always gets on with the job and he came on and did a reasonable job again.

"But I'm still trying to work out why they got rid of Spence. Full England international. £25m. There could have been other players moved on from Tottenham before him.

"Spence had a good World Cup. He became an established international and to move him on for that kind of money, I don't know."

Roberto De Zerbi explains transfer decision

Tottenham spent over £400m in the summer transfer window, reinforcing throughout the squad.

But at right-back, they remain thin and without a natural senior replacement for Porro.

"We have Archie Gray, he prefers playing in the midfield position but he can play very well also as a right-back," De Zerbi said when asked about a potential new option.

"I think we are good. I don't want 25, 26 players, I want 21, 22 players. I think that's enough, especially if these players or more players, they can adapt in more positions on the pitch."