Leeds United’s Harry Gray could face Archie Gray today, and the latter has opened up on his Elland Road return ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s visit.
The Gray family name is synonymous with Leeds United, and Archie Gray is one of five to play for the club after grandfather Frank, great uncle Eddie, father Andy, and brother Harry.
Gray has previously credited Leeds for his development during a 10-year association with the club, which started at the age of eight and ended after that big-money move from Leeds to Spurs last summer.
Daniel Farke talked up Gray ahead of Leeds vs Spurs in this week’s press conference. Similarly, Thomas Frank has given Gray advice ahead of a reunion with Leeds for the first time.
Gray’s Elland Road reception from Leeds fans should be a positive one, and he will be facing a number of his former teammates in the process as well. It could also see brothers take to the field at the same time.
Archie Gray speaks on Leeds return and Harry Gray reunion
Speaking via Tottenham Hotspur and their official website, Archie has discussed the fact that Harry and himself used to “kick lumps out of each other in the garden” as children.
That could happen today when Archie makes his first return to his boyhood club as a Spurs player, which is something he is finding strange, stating: “[It] already feels a little bit weird”.
He added: “I think half of the family will be in the Spurs end and half of them in the Leeds end! I’m joking of course, but hopefully he’s in the squad.
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“Obviously, he can’t control that but, you know, he’s just got to keep his head down and work hard in training because he’s got all the talent in the world.”
“He’s always been a striker, always been scoring goals, so hopefully he can keep doing that — just not against us! We always used to just kick lumps out of each other when we were in the garden.
“It would always end in tears but we loved every minute of it and it’s going to be weird, especially if he’s on the bench. He’s always been a little bit too young to play against me before.
“But we’ve both always been at Leeds and both had the same journey growing up. Seeing my younger brother with them, both of us playing for different teams, it’s going to be a little bit strange.
“But I’m just going to be fully focused on the game and nothing else when it comes.”
Tottenham fans want Archie Gray to feature against Leeds at Elland Road today. However, Spurs have also looked at Harry Gray among other clubs. Harry Gray is an injury doubt for Leeds vs Spurs, however.
Archie spoke about them potentially being on the pitch together, adding: “I don’t know what I’d say… I’ve never really thought about that. I guess it would be ‘just don’t score against us!’”
“I can’t wait. That’s my home, that’s where I’ve been raised and I’ve got so much love for Leeds but I’m playing for Tottenham now. We’ve obviously got a job to do at the weekend and we’re looking forward to that.
“Already, it feels a little bit weird that we’re going to be playing against a team where I’ve spent virtually my whole life.
“I’m so grateful for everything that they’ve done for me and I’m so proud to be from Leeds and be one of their own. Of course, it’s going to be unusual going back there this weekend, but we’ve got a job to do.”
Harry Gray’s Leeds United future amid Spurs interest in Archie’s brother
Harry Gray is the ‘prized jewel’ of Leeds currently, with no one impressing at academy level more since fellow wonderkid Archie smashed his way into the first-team.
Harry turns 17 this week and a Leeds United News exclusive revealed that Leeds are set to agree terms with the latest Gray off the production line.
But Farke says he is not rushing Harry Gray’s involvement. That’s despite the fact Gray has been nominated for awards at U-21 level already.
That was very likely to stir up more interest in Leeds’ young striker from Spurs, but it appears that Leeds will be hanging onto him for now.