Archie Gray remains Leeds United’s first-choice right-back at the moment.
Gray has started 29 of Leeds’ 33 Championship matches this season, the last 19 of which have been at right-back since a win over Bristol City in October.
The 17-year-old was able to hold off competition from Djed Spence and Luke Ayling until they left last month, with Connor Roberts joining on loan from Burnley to replace them.
Roberts has made three appearances for Leeds since joining the club, but has yet to get his first start, with Gray remaining Daniel Farke’s first choice, and Phil Hay has explained why.
On the most recent episode of the Square Ball Podcast, Hay stated that Leeds’ message throughout January was that they wanted a new right-back but that Gray should continue to play as much as he is.
Hay shared Leeds’ January statement on Gray.
He stated: “It was one of those things when they were looking for a right-back in January, I remember someone at the club mentioning this, they were very mindful of having a good right-back, and they got Connor Roberts, who is very excellent.
“But they didn’t want Gray’s minutes to be jeopardized right away, so they kept him on the squad and had him play. Actually, he’s improved since Roberts came in, making it impossible for Farke, there would have to be a fitness issue, to get Roberts on the team.”
Gray had a few poor games at right-back in his first few months, but has improved significantly in recent weeks.
There were several games where wingers were able to easily get the best of him, but defensively he has improved dramatically, which he attributes to daily marking of Crysencio Summerville in training.
Roberts will find it difficult to get into the team between now and the end of the season, despite joining Leeds to play more regular games, and it will be intriguing to see how he reacts to that.
