Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills has expressed concerns that Archie Gray might appear “lost” in a Premier League defense amid elite interest from clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City. Mills doubts that Gray, currently playing right back, has the necessary experience and suggests the young talent could benefit from a season in midfield in the Championship to further develop before stepping up to the Premier League.
Mills pointed out that high-profile clubs interested in Gray could consider loaning him back to Leeds to develop under Daniel Farke, provided Leeds find a new starting right back. “He’s not been played in his preferred position; I think his best position is midfield,” Mills told Football League World. “He’s been farmed out to right-back where he’s performed brilliantly. My fear was if Leeds got into the Premier League, and he plays right-back, he might get a little bit lost.
“The quality that you’re suddenly playing against – Jeremy Doku, Mohamed Salah. It’s another level. This is not the Championship anymore. And my fear would be that Leeds would bring in a right-back with experience and he might not make that midfield berth.
“I actually think for Archie’s development, even if they’d got promoted, it wouldn’t be a bad thing if he went and did a year in the Championship in midfield. He’s very, very young, learning his game in midfield. Now, with all the experience that he has, I think it could be one of the best things that happened to him.”
This ongoing transfer saga has seen interest in Gray extend beyond English shores, with Bundesliga giants also reportedly keen on the teenager.
