Archie Gray shines in midfield for Tottenham despite Spurs losing 5-3 to PSG | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur are still reeling from their 5-3 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. 

Spurs were out for revenge following the UEFA Super Cup disappointment, but were overpowered by the Ligue 1 champions again.

Tottenham twice took the lead, but the reigning Champions League winners battled back to claim a famous win after an enthralling eight-match thriller.

There were many positives for Spurs, especially in the attacking department, where on-loan PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani put in quite the shift.

Lucas Bergvall and Richarlison also performed admirably.

So did Archie Gray, who got a rare chance to strut his stuff in his natural midfield position.

Since joining the North London club at the beginning of last season, he has been used mainly at the back, but manager Thomas Frank put him in the engine room against PSG.

Gray did not look out of place. The Tottenham star kept things ticking in midfield and harried the opposition when they were on the ball.

He opened passing lanes and played a key role in setting up the opener with a floated cross.

Football London gave him an 8/10 rating and said of his performance, “Showed his quality in the first half in a rare start in his natural midfield role.

“Sent in a terrific left-footed cross for Spurs’ first-half goal. Understandably tired and came off in the 76th minute, but this was an important night for the 19-year-old on a big stage.

“Has to start more games in the centre of the pitch as he’s not overawed by it.”

Frank was also thoroughly impressed by his performance in the middle, singling him and Bergvall out for praise.

For a player who has spent most of his Spurs career plugging gaps across the rearguard, this was the clearest evidence yet that Gray’s future belongs in midfield.

His energy, balance, and ability to knit play together gave Tottenham a different rhythm.

He already looks assured, disciplined, and brave on the ball, and the stage in Paris didn’t intimidate him for a second.

Gray is ready for more starts in the middle. Spurs should treat this performance as the blueprint.

He has earned the right to build on it, and Tottenham should give him every opportunity to do that.