LEEDS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Detail view of the Leeds United club badge on the corner flag prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road on December 16, 2020 in Leeds, England.The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images)
Don Goodman expects Archie Gray to follow a similar route to Kalvin Phillips by remaining at Leeds United for the time being.
Gray enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough campaign at Elland Road last time out that has seen him linked with numerous Premier League sides.
However, Goodman believes the youngster would be better off staying at Elland Road for at least another year and further developing.
“Another season in the Championship, playing week in, week out, possibly in a more settled role – he’d likely prefer central midfield – will really benefit him,” Goodman told MOT Leeds News. “He could go to a big Premier League club, with many chasing him, but it’s about playing time.
“He’s much better off staying at Leeds United and having another brilliant season in the Championship, helping Leeds to get into the top two, which would be a dream of his, rather than going to a Premier League club and making a dozen substitute appearances and a couple of starts throughout the season.
“It would almost be determinantal to his development. In my experience, I look at Kalvin Phillips, who spent a number of seasons in the Championship with Leeds before helping them to promotion, establishing himself in the Premier League and then earning what proved to be an ill-fated move to Manchester City.
“The fact Phillips stayed when there were suitors prior to the City move – I’m led to believe there were several times he could have left – helped him become a better player and an England international. I can see that happening with Archie Gray.”
Leeds United must keep hold of Archie Gray
Money talks, of course, and if a “mammoth” bid was to come in for Gray – as mooted by TEAMtalk [14 June] – then it is a different matter entirely.
However, if no team comes in with a bid that matches what Leeds believe Gray is truly worth right now, the club must stand firm and reject all proposals.
The player himself will also have a say on his future, but you would imagine he is more than happy to stick around at Elland Road.
Phillips did likewise amid repeated transfer links and that massively paid off as he not only earned promotion but became a Premier League regular.
England recognition followed and he more than deserved his big-money move to Manchester City when it arrived.
While the switch has not paid off for Phillips, he was justified in staying at Leeds for as long as he did. Let’s just hope the same is true of Gray.
