Ben Parker thinks Gareth Southgate needs to consider taking a Leeds United player with his England side to Euro 2024 this summer, after Thursday night’s 4-0 win over Norwich City.
Leeds secured a place in the play-off final against either Southampton or West Brom on Friday night with a stellar performance that was arguably the Yorkshire’s side best display of the entire 2023-24 season.
Ilia Gruev, Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville all got their names on the score sheet as Leeds cruised into the final at Wembley on May 26, despite only drawing the first leg at Carrow Road.
Archie Gray played in the no.10 role down in East Anglia but reverted to a more familiar role of right-back on Thursday night, with Sam Byram suffering a muscle injury and Connor Roberts not fit enough to start.
Gray was sublime on the right-hand side of the defence, going on a number of mazy runs and waltzing past Norwich defenders as if they were statues. Josh Windass described the Leeds talent as “incredible”.
Former Leeds defender Parker also commented on the Thorp Arch academy product and, slightly tongue in cheek, suggested that Southgate should take Gray to Germany this summer.
Parker says Archie Gray should go to Euro 2024 with England
Despite Scotland trying to convince Gray to follow in the footsteps of Great Uncle Eddie Gray, Grandfather Frank Gray and Father Andy Gray, the versatile Leeds star has opted to represent England.
Already Gray has gone from playing in the U17 side this season to scoring for the U21’s under Lee Carsley. With Euro 2024 approaching, Parker told LS11 that Gray should be included in England’s squad.
“How does he make it look so easy? He looks like he has played 200 games. A special, special talent. Take Archie to the Euros, come on, let’s have it,” Parker said, following Thursday night’s play-off victory.
What Gareth Southgate has said about Leeds talent Gray
While Parker’s comments might have been slightly ambitious, Gray is on Southgate’s radar. Recently, the England manager listed a number of names that are shining in England’s U21 side, especially in midfield.
“There are some players with the Under-21s who are doing exceptionally well, Archie Gray at Leeds is doing very, very well I have to say, so there are a number of players in that group we could move in.”
While Euro 2024 is likely to be a step too far with Leeds in the Championship, there is no doubt that Gray will become an England international at some stage. Hopefully, that is while he is still with Leeds.