T O P

  • By -

sheikh_n_bake

Cracking young player, future England player definitely. What position remains to be seen imo.


sandbag-1

Will be interesting to see how this goes cos Tottenham's recent record signing from the Championship is very poor. Last 3 signings were Djed Spence, Joe Rodon and Jack Clarke who were all big flops. Gray is probably a better player and prospect than all of those so decent chance he works out, but I feel going from Championship to a Spurs level team is a tough transition compared to, say, a lower-midtable Prem team where it's a bit more forgiving to adapt.


aslanthemelon

I mean technically we signed Maddison from the Championship.


sandbag-1

True but then you can also bucket Moussa Sissoko and Ryan Sessegnon with that so it's hardly improving the hit rate much


ihasweenis

Moussa Sissoko was horrific initially, but he also had 2 great seasons, where he got champions league squad of the season in the run to the final and was Tottenham legends' player of the year.


SmallOlympianBear

The reports of Sissoko's great seasons have been greatly exaggerated.


magicalcrumpet

You will not slander the sissoko winks double pivot that got us to a champions league final. Would I take it back? I’d rather die. But it was a fun ride


michaelserotonin

the bar was so low that the sudden display of competency was revelatory. full credit he was legitimately good at times during that season or two, though.


_noboruwataya_

Proto-Emerson


Eagl3ye91

He was a beast under Mourinho


un_verano_en_slough

Man, Sessegnon's fall off has been such a bummer. I wish he'd stayed with Fulham and continued to develop there in the unique role he was carving out for himself, but you can't really begrudge him for going for that move at all.


Upplands-Bro

Tbf Sess's downfall has been squarely due to injuries rather than lack of opportunities. Not sure if staying at Fulham would have changed the outcome. Massive shame, though


mappsy91

Yeah I don't think he was awful for us or anything. Just horrendously constantly injured and I think that's knocked his confidence


witsel85

Clarke was a weird one as Leeds insisted he be sent back on loan for a year when we signed him, then Bielsa refused to play him so he lost a year, then got injured and by the time he actually got some game time at any level we’d bought other players. Spence was a disaster not helped by himself and Rodon we got back basically what we paid as he didn’t hit any performance incentives in his deal.


Boris_Ignatievich

bielsa didn't refuse to play him as such, we just wound up with more loan players than we were allowed in the match day squad and clarke was the odd one out


circa285

That’s refusing to play him.


Boris_Ignatievich

There is a difference between not playing someone because of circumstances and a flat refusal to consider someone for selection.


Karlito1618

Both are refusals to play someone, but one is with malice.


Bujakaa92

I doubt the loan was made that he is must have first team player. Loaning a player is not making it so mandatory to use them. Thats why there is recall.


circa285

The manager chooses the team sheet.


j4ckwh0

Gareth Bale was signed from the Championship.


magicalcrumpet

Tbf those came under managers who had no interest in giving young players opportunities. It seems to be different now under Ange. Some of our better players last season were under 21 in udogie sarr and vdv


rybl

The track record looks better when you factor in young players from other leagues. Sarr and Udogie were both successfully brought through to the first team as teenagers.


Affectionate-Car-145

From top flight sides. They weren't signed from serie B


AnduwinHS

Crazy how all of them have been Leeds players (Rodon and Spence coming to Leeds from spurs and Gray and Clarke going from Leeds to Spurs)


Original_Reaction183

Manager turnover didn't help


hasufell

All those purchases were taking a chance on a fairly cheap prospects, I'd argue this is a fundamentally different type of purchase considering the price. He's literally the 4th most expensive transfer for an 18 year-old. The other 3 being Vini, Rodrygo and Endrick.


DontSayIMean

Aren't Djed Spence and Clarke slightly unfair examples, they were barely given 90 mins of play time between them at Spurs.


sandbag-1

They didn't play because they weren't good enough, that's basically the point


Sargatanas2k2

For Djed it was because Conte didn't want him and seemed to have a vendetta against him from the start. His ability, good or bad, barely came into the equation.


harlokin

...and then, Ange didn't want him. As you said, his ability, good or bad, barely came into the equation, but there appears to be an 'issue' with him.


unambiguoschip

All of them


UuusernameWith4Us

"Have you ever played left back son? Well you do now." - Gareth Southgate, 94th minute of the 2026 World Cup Ro16 game, 1-0 down to Namibia.


Statcat2017

Ryan Nyambe dream timeline.


Less-Comment7831

Archie Gray did play about 15 mins at left back for us last season if I remember correctly


lukey19

Yeah he did, against Leicester where he scored* *Went down as an own goal, but I don't care.


Alpha_Jazz

Very obviously a centre mid?


sheikh_n_bake

You of course know he's played right back loads, it's not cut and dry with him.


Alpha_Jazz

I know full well. But his long term future will and should absolutely be as a midfielder


Kersplat96

From all reports we apparently view him as a midfielder


KDL3

He'll be a midfielder, it's fairly cut and dry if you've watched him play much


sheikh_n_bake

I've watched him often enough, the championship isn't hard to get hold of. He's played as a right back every time I've seen him like, played there when I last saw him in the national set up too.


Boris_Ignatievich

he played there because we didn't have an actual right back - he's miles better in midfield


sheikh_n_bake

You know better than me mate, hopefully his versatility does not impact him. An injury to Porro could see him play there as he'd be better than Emerson Royal.


tactical_laziness

Emerson is being sold anyway, so he'll be backup RB and backup CM in any of those 3 central roles. Plus with the way our inverted full backs play having the ability to easily swap from RB into the center and do both to a high level will make him perfect I'd imagine he'll start as a RB for now behind Porro, but then move into CM once established a bit more


KDL3

For Leeds at least it was out of necessity, he did well there for someone playing out of position but he's better suited to midfield.


Zelkeh

I distinctly remember people saying the same about Trent Alexander Arnold when he broke through


KDL3

They don't play at all similarly so it's not a worthwhile comparison


Statcat2017

Gareth Bale was very obviously a left back when he joined Spurs.


jonijontor

i won't be surprised if he's played mainly as a right back unfortunately though the system sort of accommodates that hybrid over him being holed into


akasayah

I would be pretty surprised to see him at right back. Porro is basically undroppable and we haven’t sold Emerson yet, so he’s third in line over there. On the other hand, the one spot in the starting XI that isn’t solidified is the 6. If he can prove himself there, he might be a nailed on starter within a year.


jonijontor

there's a rumour that Emerson will be shifted to Milan or something but yeah his best position is definitely as an 8 like the game against Chelsea, and probably a more like to like sub if Emerson is still there


legentofreddit

I don't think you spend 40 odd million on an 18 year old if your plan is to play him at RB, where Spurs already have an established player.


CNF1G

I am begging his family can talk some sense into him 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙏


LilCelebratoryDance

Please find Foden’s family instead 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙏


sheikh_n_bake

Never know, could yet get Anderson to come back over and Gordon too.


verytallperson1

Harvey Barnes could play for Scotland as well IIRC


unambiguoschip

What sense would that be?


Ikuu

His family is Scottish and three of them have been capped by Scotland.


Less-Comment7831

His family is but he's lived in Yorkshire his whole life


CNF1G

Following his dad, uncle’s and granddad’s footsteps and play for Scotland It was a joke, it won’t happen


HazzaThePug

My guess would be to follow his Scottish citizenship rather than play for England


BananaSoprano

He's just said he's a massive Celtic fan when speaking about Ange. So naturally I hope he has a fantastic Spurs career.


Boris_Ignatievich

eddie keeping the gospel alive for you lot down in yorkshire


HazzaThePug

Pain


Nard_Dogs

Hooray and I hate the shirt sponsor


soapbleachdetergent

Is this the new training kit sponsor?


Nard_Dogs

Yep


tenacious-g

At least if they aren’t selling them with them on. Kinda nice actually.


tfw13579

At least it isnt red


RevengeHF

I'm jealous of this one. Think Spurs have a real player on their hands here.


gustycat

Me too, he was fantastic when he played us as well, surprised it only cost 35m or whatever, and that other clubs didn't want to trigger it


OvarianCoincidence

Excellent signing. Saw him a lot last season. Serviceable at RB, but endlessly adaptable in midfield, amenable to all manner of instruction, and information (his man-marking skills are extraordinary). Absolutely therefore primed to be an inverted right back in an Ange system.


SenorIngles

Think his long term future is at the 6 in anges system. Bissouma is press resistant and a good tackler but prone to really wayward passes (as well as massive swings in form), and bentacur is a better passer but plays most effectively when he can push further forward and press higher up the pitch. Think Archie will get minutes this season filling in for Porro when he’s unavailable for sure, and some time at the 6 as well, but I see his future in the middle of the park no doubt.


Dokky

Please nurture him for the World Cup and beyond. This lad could and should be an England great. Sad to see him go, but also very happy for his future development.


magicalcrumpet

Honestly it’s gonna be so interesting to see what the midfield is going to look like next season


GaryHippo

It's very dependent on if Gray can displace Bissouma, however you'd have to say that's pretty unlikely.


Old_Roof

Bissouma has been a little disappointing tbh after a bright start to the season Bentancur is brilliant but hasn’t been the same since the ACL Hojbjerg is a plodder and he’s going to be sold He’ll get plenty of game time either in midfield or at inverted right back covering for Porro


RevolutionaryTakesOn

Seems very possible to me if he hits the ground running. Bissouma has been ripe for replacing for the last 3/4 season.


alehartl

We’ve only had him for two


RevolutionaryTakesOn

75% of the season.


alehartl

And this is why I shouldn’t comment on Reddit early in the morning, fractions are tough. Sorry man


[deleted]

[удалено]


aslanthemelon

They're saying three quarters of a season.


RevolutionaryTakesOn

3/4 as in last three fourth of the season. 75% of the season. But okay lol


CaptainKursk

Streets will never forget that game versus United in late 2023


sandbag-1

Yep, almost all of Gray's best football this season has come with him playing at right back. Almost certainly not happening. His profile as an RB/centre mid is quite fitting with Spurs' system for full backs, could see him potentially being used there at times.


CC-W

Hes not a right back, he can perform there in the championship purely because he is a better footballer than most in that league, he is not fast enough to play in that position long term and had a tough time against any winger who was fast. His best performance was against Chelsea as an 8 which is his best position


Headlesshorsman02

Can confirm that game he was the best player on the pitch against us


ahyler10

Ah so he’s more box to box than holding defensive?


AggiPo

not very hard to do though


celsotteokbokki

Find this opinion slightly bizarre, he regained his form over the last few months of the season and was playing pretty well, there aren't many players in the world who could play that role as effectively.


Hech15

He is definitely not ready to play in midfield for a top6 pl team rn...it's a project signing


Kingkamehameha11

Tottenham making some interesting signings so far. They usually go for very obvious transfers, so this is nice to see. First the Swedish midfielder, now Gray. I still think they need a couple of forward players to truly push on, especially out wide. But there is still plenty of time left.


Jealous_Foot8613

A man in a Hounslow pub just fell to his knees


4000grx41

Just saw a man in a Hounslow pub fall to his knees


andy_brixton

No idea how he almost went to Brentford, or why Tottenham weren't onto this from the start. Somehow - after totally missing the boat - it has worked out. He looks perfect as a - prospective - inverted full back.


JoeSavesTokyo

It seems like we were but Brentford tried to rush it through while we were trying to figure out the details of a swap deal. When theirs fell through we didn't waste time and just closed it that night (and then figured out the Rodon sale after).


andy_brixton

We didn't even make an effort when he went for his medical. The deal collapsed first, then we went in?


IntellegentIdiot

He's been linked with us for at least 3 weeks and apparently we've been interested for a while.


winter-2

This hurts. Hope he does well.


Squady97

He was at the club for 11 years and all we got was 1 full season. Modern football is so cool and fun, the financial rules are totally fair and awesome. Yes I'm bitter and annoyed.


pwerhif

Don't get relegated and then finish 6 points below Ipswich then


World_saltA

The only side in history to not be promoted on 90. Team finishing above us will be sanctioned for back to back rule breaches, to no benefit for us as the punishment will be in a different league Last season the 3 teams directly above us all broke the rules and were punished, to no benefit to us as they were in a different league We sold gray to stay within the rules. Yes it is unfair


legentofreddit

I'm not sure why this is the financial rules fault. At most you could maybe hold on for a bit more money, but bigger teams signing smaller teams players has always been a thing. If you're a Championship team and a top 6 team want one of your players it's basically over.


MT1120

Yes it's always been a thing, and it's not really financial rules, you're right, but the exposure, data and televising of lower leagues now make it easier for talents to get spotted and clubs to gather data on young talents.


Tinganga

If these financial rules existed 20 or so years ago, Leeds would probably be a top 6 club or thereabouts. 


nolefan5311

Wasn’t the entire reason they’re in this position now is because they spent like madmen and took out loans trying to secure European football and failed miserably? If that is the case, they’d likely be getting larger points deductions then Everton or Forest, or what Leicester might even get.


AdministrativeLaugh2

Pretty much. Peter Ridsdale took out loans against the assumption that they’d continue to play Champions League football and get more TV money. 1999/2000 they spent almost £30m (around £13m net) and finished third. 00/01 they spent £49m (around £36m net) but finished fourth by a point and this was back when only the top three got CL. 01/02 they spent £20m (around £19m net) but finished fifth (ironically top-four qualified for the CL that year). That was basically the death knell as in 02/03 they sold five players to the tune of over £52m, and loaning out Dacourt, whilst only making one signing for £2.75m. They finished 15th and got relegated a year later.


nolefan5311

Significantly overspending in the hopes of securing future revenue that then goes unrealized is exactly the situation Leicester are in now, and they face a massive points deduction. So I don’t understand the OPs comment about the existing rules being effect 20 years ago would result in Leeds being a top 6 club.


roamingandy

They failed gloriously! That UCL run was legendary. Then it unfolding that they needed to win it to get back in it next year as they lost focus on the league, and would be in a mess financially, having to sell players if they didn't. Peak breathless drama.


SmokyDuck

Feel physically sick tbh. I’m rapidly falling out of love with football. I just wonder what’s the point anymore, y’know?


HacksawJimDGN

Joe Rodon is the point


SmokyDuck

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad we’re getting Rodon on a permanent but I’m choosing to keep Archie every day of the week.


HacksawJimDGN

Archie is gone. Nothing more than a whisper, a forgotten rumour. Joe Rodon will be at Leeds for years, playing 400 or 500 games. Let this be the day we remember as the day Joe Rodon doubled down on his commitment to Leeds and embarked on his journey to the Leeds Hall of Fame.


datguywelbzzz

I don't blame you. There has to be an incentive for clubs to develop their own talent and not sell them off for PSR reasons. Not just clubs like Leeds, but even the Chelseas and the Man Citys as well. As a United fan, the one thing I've been thankful on this past few years is that they at least try and develop their youth and not sell them off at the first opportunity. You can't blame clubs for selling off an academy player because it benefits them, but the system has to be changed to incentivise teams to continue developing their own talent.


IntellegentIdiot

Because you sold a player?!


SmokyDuck

https://youtu.be/SEgjkWmj42w?si=0B-EFh3UCExD8R2t For those this is lost on.


rybl

It sounds like Leeds pretty much forced him out. What's the story there? Just needed to raise funds?


Hostilian_

We needed to make up £30m or so before June 30th for PSR reasons. Initially it was supposed to be Summerville who got sold, but when non of the bids received were accepted by Leeds nor Summerville, we had no choice to be sell Gray. Gray was gutted (as was his family) but seemingly understands the reason for the sale. That’s the story according to the athletic.


xdlols

That’s not the story


SmokyDuck

Don’t know for certain at the moment. A lot of conflicting reports and rumours. Time will tell.


R_Schuhart

Yeah, sure you get a decent transfer sum out of it, but if you constantly keep losing your best players how is it you are supposed to work your way back up to the prem? Especially these youth players who leave before their club can even benefit from them a bit before they make their big move.


SmokyDuck

You do what City, Forest, Everton and Leicester do. Flout the rules.


Boris_Ignatievich

its just how football has been going for ages, there are like 15 clubs in the world who can hoard all the talent and the rest of us are constantly having to sell our stars before we even get to enjoy them properly first it was south american clubs, then eastern europe, then upper-mid-tier leagues like the netherlands. and now its the non elite clubs in major leagues. picked apart the second you show any talent at all.


IWantAnAffliction

You mean like Leeds tried to do in the 90s/00s, but failed? Or like how Leeds (or any other team) will sign players from lower tier leagues who are poorer?


Boris_Ignatievich

its shit when we vulture youngsters too, yes.


LaudrenFareoh

I think it's always good to have perspective, because it does suck, but football is a pyramid and there's always someone smaller. I think it's kind of the tradeoff for it being such a global game, but I can't say I'm not annoyed by all our wonderkids getting bought before they're even old enough to play in the Brasileirão.


IWantAnAffliction

So why are you complaining about the top 15 when this is a pervasive issue?


Boris_Ignatievich

i highlight them because they *don't* have to sell players like everyone else does. whoever they want they can have. its a pervasive issue and i merely highlighted the teams that don't get the shit half of it.


IWantAnAffliction

There is basically only one team that players won't leave if they are still wanted there and that's Madrid.


WalkersChrisPacket

Same, what's the fucking point eh.


cpmb82

If he gets game time he’ll be starting in midfield with Jude in 2yrs


Luke92612_

2027: "Jude Bellingham to Spurs, here we go!"


un_verano_en_slough

Feel for Leeds fans. Having a player like that emerge at your club is one of the best feelings and for a while you convince yourself that maybe they won't immediately leave and have their career absolutely destroyed by a bigger team that won't play them or just by the meteoric rise getting to their head. Hopefully for Gray, under Ange and the relative stability he seems to be assured, he'll fare better than some of the recent youth prospects that have ended up at Spurs. He's an impressive player for his age, but it'll be critical that he makes the next step up and continues to develop his game. Tough for central midfielders in the Prem.


TheGrandLeveler

Good player. Are Summerville and Gnonto also going?


CobiLUFC

There have been some rumours around Summerville but nothing concrete really. I'd be surprised if they're both still here at the end of August though


CC-W

Summerville will leave, he is way too good for a club not to want to buy him. Im leaning towards us keeping Gnonto because we are not going to sell all of our best players in one window when the goal is promotion


LobsterObjective5695

Oh wow. That's a damn good signing by Spurs


BadCogs

Such a good deal. Other big clubs keeps sleeping on these cheap great deals.


IntellegentIdiot

Is £40M cheap?


BadCogs

Yes. And you get 10m of it back for your player too.


un_verano_en_slough

Feel for Leeds fans. Having a player like that emerge at your club is one of the best feelings and for a while you convince yourself that maybe they won't immediately leave and have their career absolutely destroyed by a bigger team that won't play them or just by the meteoric rise getting to their head. Hopefully for Gray, under Ange and the relative stability he seems to be assured, he'll fare better than some of the recent youth prospects that have ended up at Spurs. He's an impressive player for his age, but it'll be critical that he makes the next step up and continues to develop his game. Tough for central midfielders in the Prem.


evanlufc2000

:(


[deleted]

[удалено]


Old_Roof

Mikey Moore remember the name


PerfectRough5119

You could add in Kulu and Micky VDV as well. Also look out for Hall, Lankshear, Yago Santiago, Soonsup bell, Veliz and Scarlett even though they’re a level below the ones you mentioned.


robashi

I enjoyed reading the name Soonsup Bell so I hope he's good, it sounds like a quaint village in the lake district


DontSayIMean

Or a malnourished Dickens character


Lenyngrad

aint a calvin phillips tho. In all seriousness, great transfer. Football Manager legend


wodmad

Spurs are going to Sessegnon him.


WalkersChrisPacket

This or he'll get treated like Oliver Skipp. Will be shocked if he doesn't get loaned out, probably to a rival Championship club.


Brawlers9901

Doubt he'll be loaned out considering we need midfield bodies and are in Europe this season


WalkersChrisPacket

Why does Europe matter? You'll choke it.


Brawlers9901

Ah so you just want to regurgitate shite banter Wasn't saying we were going to win the thing but if we want to have a chance then we should probably not loan out our midfielders


WalkersChrisPacket

You're talking to me too btw, shite banter? That's no way to talk about your club. You're trying so hard to be Chelsea this season "planning for the future" when you're barren lad, a wasteland. Still fuming you've tied Sonny down to a career of mediocrity when he's a world beater, embarrassing club.


Brawlers9901

Take a breather mate and go for a walk, I'm just saying we're not loaning him out 👍


CoysNizl3

Seek help buddy you’re flashing warning signs


Silverburst8

Between your comments on this thread and the Rodon to Leeds thread, I think it’s time you logged off Reddit and went outside mate. Letting something out of your control dictate your mood this much and crying online about it is not a good look


WalkersChrisPacket

It might be easy for you Spurs fans to lack passion given the state of your club, but us Leeds are built different. I bleed blue white and Yellow, a foreign concept for a redditor that's never been to a home game in their life lmao.


Standard-Plantain139

*Ohhh* watch out, we got a badass over here


WalkersChrisPacket

And you've never stood in the stands once in your life. You'd get folded like a shit poker hand so allow yourself.


unambiguoschip

Jesus. You are making me the second hand embarrassment here, chap. Relax my man!


WalkersChrisPacket

Everyone gets second hand embarrassment when talking about Spurs, it's natural.


Breith37

Is this guy trying to say people aren’t tough enough to stand in the stands? Lmao. “Oh no the sun is still peaking over the stands, it’s agony”


WalkersChrisPacket

No, I'm saying he's never been to the stadium. The folded comment was a joke at him calling me hard, but subtletly is lost on you lot it seems.


Silverburst8

Haha never been to a home game, I live 20 minutes from the stadium and have a season ticket you wally. Don’t talk to me about passion for my club if the way you’re going to display your “passion” is by whinging on Reddit. Players leave clubs, get over it. Maybe if your club showed a bit more passion you’d have gotten promoted and been able to retain your players