Archie Gray could provide missing piece to Tottenham midfield puzzle on Leeds homecoming | OneFootball

The 19-year-old has impressed in limited appearances under Thomas Frank and could make an impact at Elland Road

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Archie Gray is set to get his first taste of Elland Road as a visiting player this afternoon.

"I know I am also being judged from game to game, so I know how it works, but I think to judge it as a success or failure, I don’t think you can really do that before two years."

In his final campaign at Leeds, Gray made 52 appearances across all competitions and was named the Championship’s young player of the season.

The teenager played more in his first year at Spurs than he would probably have expected - 46 appearances in all - but he was moved around to cover injuries and spent much of his time at full-back or centre-back. It was not until March that Gray started a Tottenham match in midfield.

Frank has suggested he will use Gray primarily in his preferred midfield role but since starting on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, he has played only one minute in the league.

Archie Gray impressed in midfield against Doncaster Rovers

Getty Images

Gray is, of course, still young and his progression is a long-term project. However, it is hard not to compare him with Lucas Bergvall, who is the same age and has been almost an ever-present under Frank in recent weeks.

The assumption when Gray arrived in north London was that he would go on to play the No6 role in midfield but injuries demanded he fill in elsewhere.

When given the chance in that deeper role, he was not entirely convincing and it could be further up the pitch that his opportunities come. Frank, though, believes Gray can do it all.

"I see him as a midfielder who can play six or eight," the Spurs boss said.

"That is his position and I think these days midfielders need to be more complete. You need to be a little bit of a six, little bit of eight and 10 and two of the best in the world right now are probably (Manchester City’s) Rodri and Declan Rice.

"I think they can do a little bit of everything. I see Archie and they are big names to compare him too, but I see he has got the same potential.”

As the right No8 in a midfield three against Doncaster, Gray impressed with his runs in behind. He got to the byline on several occasions and even when he was not picked out, his runs were enough to stretch the defence.

He also made a difference in midweek despite only coming on eight minutes from the end against Bodo/Glimt. Again, Gray got down the side of the defence and his low shot forced the own goal that earned Spurs a point.

Even with the sample size still small, there is a growing argument for giving Gray a more sustained run in a midfield that has struggled for balance in recent matches.

Joao Palhinha has shone in front of the defence but having Rodrigo Bentancur alongside him has often left Spurs looking stodgy and struggling to progress the ball. Xavi Simons has not yet hit the heights expected of him and Bergvall has played a lot of football recently.

Frank is yet to crack the code, but it feels clear that Palhinha should be the deepest of the midfield three and that getting the best out of Simons is going to come by having him at No10.

That leaves a spot alongside Palhinha up for grabs and for now it is Bergvall in pole position to claim it. Gray, though, will be hoping his chances to prove just how good he can be will come, especially this weekend in familiar surroundings.