Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou could give Archie Gray chances to impress in the Premier League in Rodrigo Bentancur’s absence
Tottenham Hotspur are still waiting for the official word from the FA for the length of Rodrigo Bentancur’s ban for his “aggravated breach” of their rules over his comments on Son Heung-min back in the summer.
It is reported that the FA is set to hit Rodrigo Bentancur with a seven-game domestic ban for his conduct. That comes as a major blow for Ange Postecoglou and, if the suspension takes place with immediate effect, the central midfielder is set to miss some big games, including Premier League clashes against the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, and a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.
As it is a domestic ban, the Uruguayan international will be eligible to represent Tottenham in the Europa League games against AS Roma and Rangers. So, Bentancur will practically be available for the Spurs’ trip to City Ground to face Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.
One would expect Yves Bissouma to replace Bentancur in the No.6 role over the coming weeks, but Ange Postecoglou seems to have other plans in place. According to a report from The Times, the Spurs boss could hand Archie Gray a sustained run in his side to impress in his natural No.6 role to help soften Bentancur’s absence across seven domestic games.
After making the move to N17 from Championship club Leeds United in the summer, it hasn’t been plain sailing for Archie Gray. He enjoyed a solid pre-season tour of Asia with Spurs which saw Big Ange praise the teenager. However, this has not exactly translated into regular minutes in competitive football with the England youth international yet to start a Premier League game for Big Ange’s Tottenham.
This has even led to rumours surrounding a potential January loan move away from the Hotspur Way for Gray with several clubs interested including his former employers Leeds United. However, the Durham-born talent is not interested in a temporary switch and wants to stay at Tottenham to break into Big Ange’s first XI.
Having been used across the backline in the Europa League and Carabao Cup fixtures so far this season, Gray might finally be set to play in his preferred role in the centre of the park, which is where he carved a niche for himself at Leeds.
More Tottenham News
- Journalist relays Juventus interest as Tottenham defender “stands out” for a possible January transfer
- “The final say” – Tottenham defender’s agent speaks about transfer reports
- Former Chelsea forward lauds Tottenham star who broke Hotspur Way training record
Undoubtedly, Bentancur is going to be a big miss with the experienced South American now slowly picking up form and performing consistently in the starting XI. But his suspension could open the door for the prodigious Gray to get regular minutes in the Premier League and showcase his vast potential.
