Ange Postecoglou has hailed the performances of Tottenham Hotspur youngster Archie Gray since filling in at centre-back.
Spurs have endured a defensive injury crisis this season and have recently had to cope without centre-back trio Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies.
As a result, Gray has been thrust into the middle of defence recently. That’s despite already playing in both full-back positions and midfield since his summer arrival from Leeds United.
Gray’s latest performance saw him complete a match-high 91 passes at a 97% success rate while making one tackle, two blocks, one interception and three recoveries as Spurs thrashed Southampton 5-0.
Archie Gray: Ange heaps praise on Spurs teenager
Although just 18 years old, Gray’s versatility has already proven a vital asset to Postecoglou this season.
The Spurs boss has been full of praise for the teenager ahead of Thursday’s EFL Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester United.
“He hasn’t missed a beat, and it’s brilliant to watch,” Postecoglou told reporters of Gray (via Football.London). “The rest of the lads have obviously helped him. Radu is the experienced one next to him at 22, and Destiny, 22, either side of him. That’s where we’re at in terms of the squad and all the young boys dipping in, I think’s super exciting through a tough period for the squad where we are at from the squad perspective.
“The young guys are shouldering a big part of the load. That’s a brilliant thing for us because hopefully we get to smoother waters and we are going to be so much better equipped for what’s ahead. Archie has done really well, his defending has been really solid, obviously, he’s got quality on the ball but the way he’s handled what we are asking him to do, a really big job not just for a one-off game. He’s handled it brilliantly.”
