Daniel Farke has opened up on where he would like to see Archie Gray improve when playing in midfield for Leeds United.
Gray has enjoyed a phenomenal breakthrough season at Elland Road, as seen by him winning the Championship’s YPOTS, as well as the EFL’s apprentice of the year.
However, the 18-year-old has actually spent the majority of the season playing as a right-back, and only recently has he been moved into the middle of the park more frequently.
Gray has started each of the last two Championship matches alongside Ilia Gruev in the engine room, with the latter’s ability to shield the defence handing the youngster the license to push forward.
Box-to-box is where Gray sees himself playing long-term, while great uncle and Leeds legend Eddie has been heard urging Farke to move him into midfield all season.
Farke shares what he’s told Gray to improve on in midfield
Ethan Ampadu, Glen Kamara, Gray and Gruev have all played plenty of matches in midfield across various parts of the season, yet not one of them have managed to get on the scoresheet in a league game.
Clearly that is something Farke has been looking to change by moving Gray further up field, as his drive with the ball in forward positions is something only he offers, when Ampadu is at centre-back.
That said, it would be fair to say Leeds’ midfield against Middlesbrough looked the most open it has done for a long time on Monday, and part of the reason for that could be Gray pushing forward.
And speaking in his pre-match press conference earlier today, Farke says Gray’s ability to pick the right moments to push on is something they are looking to work with him on, at the moment.
He said: “One of Archie’s big strengths is he can cover lots of distance, his intensity is very beneficial, attack the channel and surprisingly join the attack and bring himself into dangerous positions.
“We’re lacking a bit this goal threat from midfield positions. He’s just 18 and needs to find a good feeling for the balance. He was sometimes in too advanced a position [vs Boro] to have a good structure for our build-up, to control the counter attack.
“We spoke about a few things, I think he was important for our strength in midfield, that we win many duels, cover distance, joins attack but also a feeling for the position, to calm himself down, to join the attack, be a bit patient and this will come with experience. He has to adapt to this midfield role but he’s a smart, intelligent boy.”
