View: Archie Gray 'fear' could come true at Tottenham as another worry shared in relegation fight

Alasdair Gold has expressed his “fear” over how Tottenham Hotspur are developing Archie Gray amid their relegation fight.

After a breakout season at Leeds United in 2023-24, Tottenham signed 18-year-old Gray for £40million on a six-year deal.

In his first season at Spurs, the teenager played 46 times as he helped them to Europa League glory. This term, he has continued to be used in various positions over his 28 appearances.

In that time, the now 19-year-old has become something of a Swiss Army Knife, playing across the midfield and mainly in defence.

And as Tottenham bid to stave off relegation to the Championship amid a disastrous season, Gold has heaped praise on Gray while questioning Spurs’ handling of him.

Concerns raised over Tottenham ‘stunting’ Archie Gray’s development

Gray is a central midfielder, and one day, the young star will properly get a chance to shine there.

However, at Tottenham, Gray has played 20 times at centre-back, 17 as a defensive midfielder, 11 at right-back, 10 as a central midfielder, seven at left-back, and three times as a right midfielder.

So far this Premier League season, he has played 1,203 minutes, scored two goals, added two assists, featured 19 times, and been successful with 83.8 per cent of his passes.

As this Sofascore graphic shows below, his stats are so skewed by having to play in multiple different positions that it could be argued Tottenham are not getting the best out of him.

Due to their injury issues, he is being played all over the pitch out of necessity.

And on said development, Gold said on his YouTube channel: “At any other club, a player like Archie Gray, a 40 million pound 18-year-old who has terrific technique.

“He would be brought through the right way in the right position. But at Tottenham, he’s had to learn to do everything but what he will eventually excel at.

“I think a bit of experience in other positions, it can be good for you. It can round out your game. But if you spend two near full seasons at this pivotal young point in your career, playing everywhere but where you’re meant to play, it can stunt your development. And that’s my fear.”

How Tottenham are managing Gray vs Lucas Bergvall

Not long before Gray linked up with Tottenham, fellow teenage midfielder Lucas Bergvall headed to Spurs after joining for around £8.5m from Swedish side Djurgarden.

The 20-year-old has also featured heavily for Tottenham, chalking up 71 appearances before getting injured earlier this year.

He, too, has been played in several different positions, including left wing, left midfield, right midfield, and in more central roles.

They have both played in six different positions, but Bergvall hasn’t had to play as a defender once. With Gray, he has played as a centre-back more than in any other position.

You could argue that Tottenham could have played these players more often in their favoured positions, but as they are young, they are having to bide their time for that chance.

Gray is becoming a fan favourite at Tottenham despite being asked to do so much in very different roles. Spurs fans will hope he can guide them to Premier League safety, but there is a concern that they may be stunting his growth.

Let’s hope that survival can lead to better planning from next season, not just for Gray.

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