Midfield general or defensive dynamo? Tottenham star Archie Gray is a jack of all trades

Tottenham Hotspur are looking at possibilities to increase the depth and quality of the squad at Ange Postecoglou‘s disposal going into next season, and they have already initiated the process by acquiring young English talent Archie Gray in a £40 million transfer from Leeds United.

Archie Gray has been making noises at Elland Road in the championship last season as he concluded his breakout season on a high in the right-back role. While he managed to impress Tottenham and other high-profile suitors with his performances on the full-back flank, the teenager is originally a midfielder, and it is yet to be known where officials at Hotspur Way will ultimately see him fitting into their long-term plans, whether as a dynamic midfielder or in a defensive profile. 

Robinson’s revelation

Former Lilywhites goalkeeper Paul Robinson, in an exclusive interview on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, suggests that the arrival of the 18-year-old could spell an end to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s time at the club, as he insists that Spurs look at him in a midfield capacity.

He emphasised that the club looks at him as a midfielder by reflecting on the talks that all parties held before the conclusion of the eventual transfer to White Hart Lane. 

Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, Paul Robinson said:

“Tottenham see him as a midfielder; they’ve signed him as a midfield player. There’s no doubt that the club sees him as a midfielder, and that’s his position, and I think those conversations will have been had before the move was sanctioned. I know he filled in at right back for the second half of last season for Leeds, and he did extremely well, but  I don’t think that’s where he sees himself in the future.”

“I think he’s got the versatility to play there, and I think that’s one thing that obviously attracts other teams to sign Archie Gray.” But I think from a Tottenham point of view, from a player’s point of view, he’s a central midfield player. He’s got a great engine; he can play both roles as a holding midfielder or an attacking midfielder, but it also gives Tottenham an option.”

While the former Spurs goalie insists he is the latest arrival to play in the middle of the park, he has already featured in a behind-the-scenes friendly for the North Londoners, where he played in the right-back role. 

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

• German club enter the race to sign 25-year-old Tottenham ace said to have ‘an unbelievable work ethic’
• Tottenham set to miss out on ‘dynamic, brave player’ who is closing in on a move to PL rivals
• Tottenham set to beat Real Madrid in the race for 23-year-old shot-stopper who has a €25m release clause

Irrespective of where he features, the qualities that he possesses signify that he can make an enormous impact in any position where he features for the Lilywhites. The quality that he possesses means that he has the capacity to become an integral part of Ange Postecoglou’s project at White Hart Lane, potentially shaping the future success of the team both in domestic and European competitions.