The Leeds United academy is famed for producing talent, with very few clubs in the country able to match the Whites’ output for graduates.
Famously, Leeds United have tended to afford their young players opportunities, from Archie Gray last season, to the likes of James Milner, Kalvin Phillips, and Jonathan Woodgate in the not-so-distant past.
There are, and indeed were, a number of young players on Leeds’ books who have come through the Leeds academy set-up, with many getting their chance over the last two seasons in the Championship.
Those sorts of minutes and opportunities will be harder to come by in the Premier League. However, Patrick Bamford is excited about the emerging talents of one particular player already.
Photo by Harry Trump/Getty ImagesPatrick Bamford praises Harry Gray in Leeds United training
The player Bamford has been particularly impressed by is Archie’s brother, Harry Gray. The 16-year-old has made one appearance for Leeds so far but many are excited by his future.
Speaking to Ben Foster on the ‘Fozcast – The Ben Foster Podcast’, Bamford said: “Harry and Archie look very, very similar; personalities couldn’t be any different.
“When Archie came up, quiet but just got about it. Harry is chirpy. He is proper chirpy — but in a good way.
“He’s got no problem with having one of the first-team players off. At 16! I swear.
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“He, I think, in his head, knows he’s good. I remember when Archie was still at Leeds, I went to watch for the 18s or 21s and Harry was playing.
“I literally — and he knows now because I’ve told him — but I literally went to watch just to see him. He’s good and he’s going to be decent.
“I thought, when he comes up, I’ll try to help him a little bit. It’s weird to say but he like looks up to me a little bit, so I can kind of get away with it with him a bit.
“He could be top. He’s tall, quite slim, quick, very aggressive. For how tall he is, his dribbling is a joke. He can put defenders on their arse.
“In training, he does it a lot. He did it to Joe Rodon. He was through and he chopped the life out of him. Joe hates looking like that. So, all the lads jumped on it winding him up.
“Honestly, times have changed with young players. But I quite like it, because I find him funny.”
The youngster’s personality shines through already, after Harry Gray teased Harry Maguire on social media. It makes it clearer to see why Daniel Farke has advised Gray to stay grounded towards the end of the campaign during the promotion celebrations.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesIt’s clear to see why there is Tottenham interest in Harry Gray
Aaron Lennon believes Harry Gray has the potential to be an absolutely incredible player, the ex-Spurs and Leeds winger has also compared Gray to Gareth Bale and been very impressed.
Harry Gray’s Leeds United stats (all levels)
It’s already clear to see why Harry Gray has had interest from Tottenham, which could reunite him with Archie. Most Leeds fans will hope that they face one another rather than play alongside one another.
One day, it’s possible that Harry and Archie wear white again. Both have the potential, with the right development and utilisation, to become England senior players one day.
For Harry to have this much character and personality in his performances and around the training ground already? It speaks to a player with the right background, which the Gray family name implies.