Since relegation back to the Championship ahead of the 2023/24 season, manager Daniel Farke has built a side at Leeds United that has excelled in England’s second tier potentially catapulting them to promotion this season.
The German has led the Whites to top spot in the current campaign, sitting in pole position to end their two-year exile from the Premier League in the coming months.
He already had a phenomenal side upon his arrival at Elland Road, but has gradually injected further quality into the side, massively aiding their chances of securing a return to the top flight.
The likes of Joel Piroe and Ilia Gruev both arrived during the summer of 2023, both cementing their places in the side over recent weeks, playing a vital role in the club’s promotion ambitions.
However, despite the signings made during the aforementioned window, the emergence of one player caught the eye massively, providing for a huge pay day after their play-off final defeat.
Archie Gray’s stats for Leeds in 2023/24
Ahead of the start of last season, very few supporters would’ve predicted how important youngster Archie Gray would be in Farke’s first year at the helm as Leeds boss.
At the tender age of just 17, the talent would make his first-team debut, but would end up cementing his place in the squad, making 52 appearances for his boyhood side – winning the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award as a result.
Gray would find the back of the net in what was a crucial clash with Leicester City at Elland Road, but his goal would eventually be credited as a own goal – unable to register a goal during his time Yorkshire.
His first year with the Whites would be his only season after their failure to secure promotion, leaving in a £40m deal to join Tottenham Hotspur, hoping to take his career to the next level as a result.
However, despite featuring 35 times to date, he’s been outperformed by another former Leeds player who failed to deliver during his own spell on loan under Farke.
The former Leeds player who’s outperformed Gray in 2024/25
During the summer of 2023, Leeds also secured a deal to sign Spurs full-back Djed Spence on loan for the entirety of the campaign, but was unable to make his mark at the club.
The Englishman, who cost £20m the summer prior. would fail to deliver at Elland Road, making just seven Championship appearances, many of which were out of position at left-back.
As a result, the 24-year-old would be recalled halfway through his stint in January, returning to his parent side before another temporary spell at Italian outfit Genoa.
However, in the ongoing season, the Lilywhites’ injury issues have plagued Ange Postecoglou’s squad, handing Spence the opportunity to impress in the first-team, taking his chance with both hands.
He’s since been a key player in their backline, along with Gray, but his showings have led to calls for an England call-up amid Thomas Tuchel’s first squad in the coming weeks.
When comparing his stats to those of the Leeds academy graduate, Spence has outperformed the youngster in numerous key areas, highlighting the progression he’s made after his disappointing spell in Yorkshire.
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How Spence compares to Gray in the PL (2024/25) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Spence |
Gray |
|
Games played |
14 |
20 |
|
Goals & assists |
2 |
0 |
|
Progressive carries |
3.3 |
0.2 |
|
Progressive passes |
5.2 |
2.1 |
|
Tackles won |
2.5 |
0.3 |
|
Interceptions made |
1.1 |
0.6 |
|
Aerials won |
1.2 |
0.7 |
|
Aerial success rate |
60% |
56% |
|
Stats via FBref |
||
He’s managed to excel defensively, winning more tackles and completing more interceptions per 90 than Gray, showcasing how impressive he’s been – unimaginable after his unsuccessful spell under Farke.
It’s great to see the former loanee shining alongside another one-time Leeds star, with the fanbase undoubtedly wishing them well in their development even if it’s not at Elland Road.
Many expected Gray to be the star youngster after his big-money move, but ultimately, Spence has managed to outperform him to date, with the teenager still needing the opportunity to star in his regular position to get the best out of his skill set.
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