Rio Ferdinand says he feels empathy for former Leeds United star Archie Gray given the instructions he has been ordered to carry out at Tottenham Hotspur.
The 19-year-old secured a £30m switch to Spurs from Elland Road last summer and has been a regular for Ange Postecoglou, playing 38 games including 21 Premier League outings. Gray is a midfielder by trade yet has only played there three times this term.
Most of his appearances have come at centre-back amid Tottenham’s defensive crisis, a position he had never played during his senior career prior to this season. In total, he has played 19 games there so far.
Gray has also featured at right-back for seven matches, though this is hardly unfamiliar to him having been used to the role 30 times by Daniel Farke last campaign. But under the German, he also managed to play 19 matches in a variety of midfield positions too.
That has not been the case for Gray - who has also played five games at left-back - at Spurs. Former Leeds defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed he has spoken to Gray about his usage under Postecoglou and backs him to turn the experience into something positive long term.
“I feel sorry for him. He’s a young kid playing out of position, unfortunately for him,” Ferdinand told his YouTube channel. “But I’ve said to him – this could be one of the most-valuable times of your career.
“Getting minutes early, in a different position, seeing things from a different picture, could really enhance him in the future.”
In his 31 games as a defender this season, Gray has helped Tottenham keep nine clean sheets. He is yet to score or assist for his new club.
The teenager, who started at right-back for England Under-21s in a 4-2 friendly win over Portugal on Monday evening, was seen back at Elland Road supporting Leeds amid February's comeback win over Sunderland.