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Archie Gray 2.0, sold for £4m now a world-class, what a REGRET to Leeds “- Leeds must rue selling £4m star who could’ve been their next Archie Gray
Leeds United have a long history of producing talented academy players, many of whom have become crucial members of the first team at Elland Road.
Kalvin Phillips made his senior debut for the club in 2016 and gradually established himself as a regular starter after spending several seasons coming off the bench.
Over his career at Leeds, Phillips made 234 appearances before moving to Manchester City in a £45 million transfer in the summer of 2022, providing the club with a significant profit.
Jack Clarke was another standout talent from Leeds’ youth system, known for his dynamic dribbling in the final third during his time in the Championship.
Like Phillips, Clarke eventually made a high-profile move, signing for Tottenham Hotspur for around £10 million, with another player following in his footsteps to North London in recent years.
Archie Gray’s Rise and Move to Spurs in 2024/25
Archie Gray had a rapid ascent in the 2023/24 season, breaking into the first team at just 18 years old, marking his breakthrough during his ninth year at Leeds.
He became a regular under manager Daniel Farke, impressively featuring 52 times across all competitions despite his young age.
Gray was versatile, playing both central midfield and right-back, excelling in both positions, which earned him the EFL Young Championship Player of the Season award.
After his standout performances in the second tier, Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur came calling. Leeds reluctantly sold him for £40 million after failing to secure promotion last season.
This substantial fee boosted the club’s finances, but Leeds may regret selling him so early, potentially missing out on even more if they had allowed him to develop further before making the move.
The Player Who Could Have Been the Next Archie Gray
Leeds have been fortunate to develop a number of talented players, though not all have lived up to expectations.
One such player is center-back Charlie Cresswell, who appeared primed to be a key figure in the first team after his breakthrough in the 2020/21 season.
However, Cresswell was loaned to Millwall for the following season, gaining valuable experience during Leeds’ relegation back to the Championship.
Upon returning, he struggled to break into Farke’s plans, managing only seven appearances in all competitions, leading to his departure the next summer.
The 22-year-old joined French side Toulouse in a deal worth up to £4 million, a transfer that now looks like a bargain as he’s started 19 games for the Ligue 1 side.
Cresswell has quickly made an impact at Toulouse, showcasing the potential Leeds overlooked by letting him leave.
Despite an impressive loan stint, it’s surprising that Cresswell wasn’t given more of an opportunity at Elland Road, and his move to Toulouse now seems like a missed chance for Leeds to develop another star.
With his current form, Cresswell could have been a valuable asset to Leeds’ squad, and they may come to regret their decision.
Toulouse now stand to benefit from his progress, with Cresswell likely to continue developing into a top-level player.
