Boy Wonders

WITH every crisis comes opportunity, and for Archie Gray it meant he got first team experience at Elland Road in the Premier League.Last weekend, the 15-year-old was named on the bench for the first time against Arsenal.
Leeds United prospect Archie Gray has academy coaches purring at Thorp ArchCredit: Rex
Archie is the great-nephew of Leeds legend Eddie GrayCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
With the greatest respect, his chance came because of an injury crisis that has crippled Leeds United and seen the Whites crumble to a 7-0 thrashing against Manchester City and 4-1 beating by the Gunners.
But, what has been evidenced by Marcelo Bielsa and youth academy coaches at Thorp Arch, is that Gray has the potential to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors and become a regular.
The teen midfielder carries the club’s DNA. His dad is former Leeds forward Andy Gray, he is the grandson of ex-defender Frank and great-nephew of legend Eddie.
And he’s got the backing of Leeds director Victor Orta.
EXCELLING AT YOUTH LEVEL
Archie is currently earning rave reviews from his mentors at youth level..
At his tender age, he is already playing U23 football having broken into Mark Jackson’s side.
And he has experienced the physical side of EFL’s League One and Two by playing in the Papa John’s Trophy for the U21’s.
A standout assist in a game against Tranmere Rovers for an Amari Miller goal wowed fans when it surfaced on social media.
In early December, Archie also represented his country – playing for England’s U16’s in the Val-de-Marne tournament in France.
For now, he has snubbed Scotland unlike Eddie, Frank and Andy.
Back in September, Gray starred against Tranmere Rovers in the Papa John’s TrophyCredit: Getty
Gray provided an outstanding assist for Amari Miller’s goalCredit: Getty
THE DIRECTOR’S SOAPBOX
Archie’s recent rise has Victor Orta excited.
In an interview with Spanish YouTube channel La Media Inglesa, the Leeds director heaped praise on the youngster when asked who the future of the club could be.
Orta revealed: “I want to be the first person on La Media Inglesa since in five years’ time you’ll be talking about this guy non-stop and I want to be the first and because I already had the answer prepared yesterday, I want to say the name of Archie Gray, our youth team player.
“He is 16, [great nephew] of Eddie Gray, son of Andy Gray and I want to say the name of Archie Gray on La Media Inglesa.
“You can find a nice moment of what he did the other day in the Papa John’s Trophy on Wyscout, he gave a lovely pass to Amari Miller in our 4-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers.
“Hopefully nobody takes him away from us for God’s sake. Nobody is going to do that, he has [Leeds] in his blood. So that’s why I want to say the name of Archie Gray on here because every time he takes a step forward you’ll see him.”
JUST LIKE AGUERO
Archie’s performance against Tranmere back in September gave Orta goosebumps.
It also reminded him of a legend just retired, not because of similarities with how they play, but more with how Archie has burst onto the scene.
“He’s one of those players you see every, I don’t know. I remember Kun Agüero and saying “what is this?” It’s something that happens once in a long time, so I wanted to mention Archie Gray,” Orta purred.
Midfielder Gray has all the ingredients to become a Leeds first teamer, according to director Victor OrtaCredit: Rex
Gray featured on the bench recently in the Premier League defeat to ArsenalCredit: Rex
@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
“[It] has actually happened only a few times, in the South America under-20s tournament, Kun scored 10 or 12 goals or something like that, you could see he was different.
“I saw Ángel Correa in under 15s in San Lorenzo and it impacted me. I saw Douglas Costa when he was 15 in a Copinha São Paolo and I said ‘who’s this guy?’
“It’s happened only a few times. But yeah, Archie gives me the same feeling. Archie the other day against Tranmere Rovers gave me that feeling.”
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa discusses his squad’s injuries More

MANCHESTER CITY wonderkid James McAtee could be the next teenage star to follow Phil Foden’s path into Pep Guardiola’s first team.The 19-year-old midfielder is earning rave reviews from academy coaches – earning the nickname the ‘Salford Silva’.
James McAtee is set to follow Phil Foden’s path into Man City’s first teamCredit: Getty
Back in November, McAtee made his Premier League debut against EvertonCredit: Getty
His skill set, quick feet, an ability to keep possession, and perfectly executed through balls mirror David Silva, who graced the Etihad for ten years until moving to Real Sociedad in 2020.
McAtee made his first team debut for the club earlier this campaign, coming on as a sub in the 6-1 demolition of Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Cup.
While back in November he appeared in the Premier League against Everton.
But, if Manchester United hadn’t let him go, he could have been appearing at Old Trafford instead.
RED DEVILS REGRET
Across town, there’s some rumblings among the Red Devils’ coaching staff about how McAtee slipped through the cracks.
When he was 11, the talent played in red alongside his older brother John, who now turns out for Grimsby Town.
But when Manchester United decided to release John their father – who played rugby league for St Helens – pulled James out of their academy.
United’s loss was City’s gain, who welcomed him with open arms to their youth set up.
And he has progressed through the ranks all the way to the EDS side, also known as the U23’s, and the first team.
In that time, he has also been recognised at international level – playing for both England’s U18 side and U20’s.
KNOWS WHERE THE NET IS
This campaign, McAtee’s shown a real knack for scoring goals.
This season, McAtee has shown a knack for scoring goals for the U23 sideCredit: PA
McAtee has 16 goals in 17 games this seasonCredit: Getty
The numbers really speak for themselves. Eleven in 12 in Premier League 2, four in three Uefa Youth League matches and one in two for the EFL Trophy side.
In some quarters he’s been called the best player at U23 level at the moment, with his form putting him into Guardiola’s first team thoughts.
Manchester City Elite Development Squad’s manager Brian Barry Murphy is impressed with his work ethic and desire to improve.
“I’ve seen a real hunger from him to develop his goal scoring, and drifting towards that goal,” he told Goal.
“He is a very, very talented player and a very creative player.
“I think it’s very early in his development. He wants to score goals to support the team and work alongside his team-mates, but understanding he has a special set of qualities that will allow him to score goals and create goals.
“He’s very focused on improving that, which is intriguing me.”
BUT CITY COULD LOSE HIM
At the moment there’s plenty of talk of McAtee going out on loan for first team experience in the Championship this January
While last summer it was reported that Brighton had a bid of £8million turned down for the playmaker, which was denied by City.
Either way, City will be looking to tie their promising kid to a long-term contract.
Academy coaches have nicknamed McAtee the ‘Salford Silva’Credit: Getty
Man City will be desperate to tie McAtee down to a long contract with rival clubs interestedCredit: Alamy
@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
Currently, his deal expires in the summer of 2023, and Manchester United, Liverpool and Barcelona are said to be keeping a watchful eye on developments.
But, being a boyhood City fan, it is hoped that McAtee will be bide his time, work hard, and wait for his opportunity.
The ball is well and truly in his court.
Pep Guardiola slams Kyle Walker for his needless red card in Leipzig More

BARCELONA kid Gavi, 17, has already gone down in the record books.When Luis Enrique named him in his first eleven in the Nations League semi final against Italy, he became Spain’s youngest ever international.
Barcelona wonderkid Gavi provided a star turn against Bayern Munich as a subCredit: AFP
Midfielder Gavi has been tipped as the next Xavi at the Nou CampCredit: Getty
“It was his first game with Spain, but we already knew all about him,” Luis Enrique said after the game.
“It’s not normal that he plays like that [at 17]. He’s a player with personality, enviable physical conditions and he plays our style of football. He plays like he’s at school or in his garden at home.
“It’s a pleasure to have a player with that quality and character with us. We can say that he’s the national team’s present, not [just] the future.”
And he deserved his bow for his country, after emerging on the scene at Camp Nou.
Barcelona may have been on the receiving end of Champions League thumpings at home to Bayern Munich and away against Benfica, but Gavi is getting a valuable lesson in game time.
The struggling LaLiga club have seen an opportunity to bleed a youngster that’s going to be integral to their success moving forward, as their fortunes suffer on the pitch.
In the 59th minute against Bayern, boss Ronald Koeman brought teen wonderkid Gavi, 17, on for stalwart Sergio Busquets.
15 minutes later, the attacking midfielder tried to burst through the Germans defence before he was expertly stopped by Dayot Upamecano. However, the potential was there to see and the crowd responded every time he touched the ball.
On Wednesday, Gavi became his country’s youngest ever internationalCredit: Getty
Perhaps he was lucky to stay on the field after consecutive fouls on Thomas Muller and Dayot Upamecano, but fans were already buoyed by what they had seen.
Gavi, who has been likened to Spain legend Xavi, is the future of Barça’s and Spain’s midfield.
ARRIVED FROM BETIS
Although he already appears to have the Barcelona style of play engrained in his DNA, he didn’t join La Masia until he was 11.
Originally from Los Palacios y Villafrance, some 18 miles outside of Seville, Gavi’s technical ability made him a standout.
He played for Real Betis, scoring 96 goals in youth football, and getting scouted by Villarreal, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.
But in 2005, it was Barcelona who convinced the talent his future belonged at the Nou Camp.
Gavi, playing against Real Madrid as a kid, signed for Barcelona aged 11Credit: Instagram / @pablogavi10
Gavi played last season in a mask after breaking his jawCredit: Getty
“He is so technically gifted,” his former La Masia coach Franc Artiga told Goal.
“He is capable of changing a what he is about to do in tenths of a second, and improvising under any circumstance of the game.
“It is very difficult to find a player with these abilities, and with this speed of execution.”
Gavi rose through the ranks and skipped U18 football to go straight into the U19 team last term.
“Physically, this year he has evolved a lot,” Artiga said.
“He has made the change and is now a very strong player.
“This physique complements his technical quality and decision making. He now has the quality to protect the ball. His lower body helps him and has made him more competitive in the youth teams.”
‘HYPERCOMPETITIVE’
As was proven by his over-eagerness in the tackle against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, Gavi’s competitive nature can get the best of him in the pitch.
“He  is hypercompetitive,” Artiga revealed.
“He is one of the most competitive players I know. That is something you have to stabilise.
“He has improved a lot in the control of his emotions. He is always on top of them, while keeping a winning mentality until the last minute. He still, though, has room for improvement in this.”
Last season, Gavi appeared for the Barcelona B team twice before he was promoted to the first team for this summer’s preseason friendlies.
It was against VfB Stuttgart in a 3-0 friendly win, where he earned comparisons to ex-Barcelona star Xavi.
So far, he has already appeared seven times for the Catalans in LaLiga.
Gavi’s cameo against Bayern Munich had fans on their feetCredit: Rex
Competitive Gavi does sometimes let his emotions get the better of him on the football pitchCredit: Getty

But, they do want to ease him in gentle. After all, there is the belief he will be gracing the Nou Camp for years to come.
Artiga divulged: “He plays and executes on instinct. More experience will help him be able to read the game, and not act so much on instinct.
“We have to be patient, we have to let him reach certain objectives.
“If we do things well and have a good environment, we will have Gavi for many years.”
Lionel Messi tipped to return to Barcelona and retire after winning Champions League with PSG by Riquelme More