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)
Six young stars have joined Leeds United’s senior squad in jetting off to Germany this summer and Joe Rothwell thinks one of those players has a very “bright future” ahead of him.
A squad of 26 have jetted off to Germany, with new signing Jayden Bogle set to join the rest of the squad on Sunday evening. Bogle has completed a £5m move to Elland Road from league rivals Sheffield United.
He joins three other new signings in Joe Rodon, Alex Cairns and Rothwell in being included on the list for the trip to Germany. Brenden Aaronson and Max Wober are also in attendance, after last season’s loans.
With so many players departing Leeds already though, Farke has complimented the 21 senior members with six young players including Wales star Charlie Crew and Friday night’s goalscorer Sam Chambers.
Rothwell thinks one Leeds teenager has a bright future ahead
Indeed, Crew and Chambers are two of six young players yet to make their first-team debuts. There is also Lucas Thomas, Harry Christy and James Debayo, the latter starting in Friday’s 3-0 win at Harrogate Town.
The sixth is a name many will recognise. Harry Gray might still only be 15, but he is already wearing his elder brother’s no.45 shirt after Archie moved to Tottenham for £40m, Leeds’ third-biggest sale in history.
The youngster is highly thought of at Elland Road and is already training with the senior squad, coming off the bench against Harrogate. Rothwell has given his verdict on the Leeds talent to the Evening Post.
“It’s weird that I’m probably classed as one of the older lads now at 29. A massive cycle. I remember when I was that age looking up to people who were 30-odd thinking I’ve got a long time to go,” Rothwell said.
“Now I’m looking the other way saying I’ve maybe not got too long to go. I’ve been really impressed with what Harry’s been doing, for such a young lad, he looks like a really mature player. Bright future for him.”
What Archie Gray has said about younger brother Harry
There is enormous hype surrounding the current in-house Gray at Leeds and now beyond, largely due to what Archie did in his first season and the family dynasty of what Eddie, Frank and Andy did beforehand.
Archie has become an England U21 regular, a Tottenham player and a £40m player overnight. There will be an added pressure on Harry to do the same, at least, maybe not in detail but in terms of a rapid climb.
But there isn’t a better manager in place at this level when it comes to flooding youngsters. Daniel Farke is the kind of manager to put a player in if ready, forgetting age. Archie says Harry is “unbelievable”.
“I don’t think I need to help [Harry]. When I was his age, people just let me trust my ability. The same for him. You’d get advice and help, people didn’t tell you what to do. His ability for his age is unbelieva
