Archie Gray delivered an impressive performance in the Tottenham midfield against Newcastle United in Seoul
Tottenham Hotspur wrapped up the pre-season tour of Asia with a 1-1 draw with Premier League rivals Newcastle United on Sunday.
The match, played in Seoul, ended level after goals from Brennan Johnson and Harvey Barnes. Spurs took the lead through Johnson in the fourth minute, but Harvey Barnes equalised before the break.
Son Heung-min played his final game in a Tottenham shirt as a move to MLS club Los Angeles FC beckons. He was the talking point of the match, and there were emotional scenes when the South Korean forward was substituted in the second half. The 33-year-old was visibly emotional after the game in his home town as he is bidding goodbye to a club that was his home for the past 10 years.
However, a serious knee injury sustained to James Maddison took away all the limelight from Son’s farewell game, leaving his Spurs teammates and the fans distraught and upset.
Thomas Frank praises Archie Gray vs Newcastle United
Maddison’s injury was a real mood dampener for everyone associated with the north London club, but that should not hide certain players’ fine performances against Newcastle United. And one of those came from young Archie Gray.
Archie Gray started in a double pivot with Rodrigo Bentancur in the midfield, tasked with breaking up opposition’s attacks and controlling the tempo of play. The Englishman did his job and repaid Thomas Frank’s faith in him in a position he barely played last season.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Frank was asked whether there were any young players that caught his eye vs Newcastle. The Spurs gaffer said (h/t Football London):
“I think of any of our young players, I think Archie Gray stood out. I think he was really, really impressive. I like the way he was carrying the ball forward, his role down the side and the half-space runs and I also think his aggression in the duels and the pressure was very good.”
Archie Gray will hope to get minutes in midfield
Gray did well in his first season at Spurs after joining from Leeds United last summer, but he was not able to showcase his full potential. Indeed, unfortunately, due to an injury crisis, the England youth international was forced to operate in defensive positions. A midfielder by trade, he was majorly used in central defence and at full-back by former boss Ange Postecoglou.
The teenage prodigy will hope to get minutes in midfield under Frank after dishing out an impressive display in the 1-1 draw with the Magpies. However, Spurs have recently signed Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich, which means more competition for Gray in midfield.