Jermaine Beckford is in awe of Leeds United wonderkid Archie Gray but has identified one key area in which the teenage talent can get better, ahead of the play-off final.
It is Championship play-off final day and Leeds go to Wembley to take on Southampton for a place in the Premier League. The entire season comes down to this one game, as Daniel Farke eyes an instant return.
The Whites will be without Patrick Bamford, who joins Stuart Dallas and Pascal Struijk on the sidelines. It remains to be seen if Sam Byram is included, but Connor Roberts and Dan James could be in line to start.
One player that is more than likely to start is 18-year-old Gray, after his masterclass from right-back in the 4-0 win over Norwich last time out. He was unplayable at times as Leeds booked their place at Wembley.
But, Leeds legend Beckford has identified one area in which the versatile star can improve ahead of this afternoon’s clash, having only managed to do what Beckford suggests only once during 2023-24.
Beckford says Leeds talent Gray needs to improve one key area
That one moment came in arguably, the best result Leeds have had all season aside from the 4-0 win over Norwich. Gray scored, via a deflection or two, to beat Leicester 3-1 at Elland Road having trailed late on.
It is Gray’s only goal in more than 50 appearances this season and while he has played right-back for much of that, Gray has also been a regular in midfield and even played as a 10 in the first leg at Norwich.
Beckford toldLUTV’s play-off final preview show: “He looks like an experienced pro, someone that has played the game for a good few years. Not someone in their breakthrough season, six or seven years.
“So calm and composed, strong, technically gifted. I just want to see him pop up with a couple more goals. I’m picky, I’m really picky,” Leeds icon Beckford claimed when discussing Gray and his potential.
What Michael Bridges said about Gray ahead of Southampton
All eyes on Wembley this afternoon and Bridges discussed how playing at the home of English football in front of so many fans is going to affect Gray, who is still the infancy of his senior professional career.
This will be the first time that Gray has played in front of more than 50,000 fans in one go, with Wembley by far the biggest stadium. The second, other than Elland Road, being Stamfords Bridge in The FA Cup.
Bridges thinks facing Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo sets him in good stead: “What I think has got in his advantage is games at the high end. Man of the match against Enzo, Caicedo, he is special.”