Following Leeds United’s play-off semi-final victory against Norwich City, Darren Bent feels the club has the ‘next superstar’ in their ranks.
Former Ipswich Town striker Bent had expected Norwich to win 2-1 at Elland Road in the second leg, but he couldn’t have been more incorrect.
Leeds dominated Norwich from start to finish, winning comfortably 4-0 to advance to the final against Southampton at Wembley Stadium.
Ilia Gruev began the scoring for Leeds early on with a brilliant free kick, before Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter secured a three-goal lead at halftime.
Crysencio Summerville completed the scoring midway in the second half, bringing Leeds’ total to four goal scorers under the age of 24.
Bent feels Archie Gray is the next ‘superstar’ for Leeds.
Leeds’ attackers stole the show on Thursday night, scoring four goals and earning Rutter the Sky Sports man of the match award.
However, after allowing nine goals in their last three regular season games, Leeds held two clean sheets against Norwich, giving the back four confidence.
Archie Gray started as a number 10 at Carrow Road but was shifted back to right-back for the second game, where he shut down Jonathan Rowe.
Farke praised Gray for a moment in the first half, while Sheffield Wednesday’s Josh Windass was also impressed by his performance.
On talkSPORT, Bent described Gray as the ‘next superstar’ before complimenting Leeds for proving his prediction incorrect.
“First and foremost, the environment, including the smoke, looked fantastic. They blew them out of the water and out of the traps so quickly that they were completely destroyed within the first twenty minutes.
“With Rutter, Summerville, Gnonto, and these guys, you have a lot of possibilities. Again, well done to Leeds. It’ll be interesting to see what they do.
“Obviously, they’re referring to Archie Gray, right? He is expected to be the next superstar. Well done, Leeds. I expected them to struggle, but they did not. “Fair play.”
Ben Parker encourages Gareth Southgate to take Gray to the Euros.
Gray is already on England boss Gareth Southgate’s radar, despite having yet to make his Premier League debut.
And, after his performance in the second leg on Thursday, former Leeds defender Ben Parker has asked Southgate to send him to the Euros, albeit in jest.
He asked, “How can he make it appear so easy? He looks like he’s played 200 games. A very exceptional talent. Take Archie to the Euros, let’s go!”
