Tottenham Hotspur's Archie Gray has been the subject of high praise from an opposing manager, with Spurs boss Thomas Frank comparing the young midfielder's potential to that of world-class players like Rodri and Declan Rice.
Frank, who previously expressed interest in Gray during his time managing Brentford, highlighted the 19-year-old's versatility and completeness as a midfielder. According to Frank, modern midfielders need to be multifaceted, possessing qualities of a number six, eight, and ten. He believes that Gray has the potential to reach the level of players like Rodri and Rice, who are known for their ability to contribute in various aspects of the game.
"Let's put it this way, yes, we spoke with him, but he ended at Tottenham and maybe that was good because I still have the chance to work with him,” Frank said. “I see him as a midfielder who can play six or eight. 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 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."
Gray, who stands at 187 cm, joined Tottenham from Leeds United at the end of the 2023-24 season in a deal worth £40 million. Before moving to North London, he made 52 appearances for his boyhood club, Leeds, earning admirers throughout England. If selected, the game against Leeds at Elland Road will mark his 52nd appearance for Tottenham.
While Frank acknowledged that it takes time to fully assess a player's success, suggesting a two-year timeframe for a comprehensive evaluation, he also emphasized that players are constantly judged on their performances. Gray has seemingly impressed when given opportunities by Frank, including creating a late equalizer in a recent match.
Archie Gray is the son of Andy Gray, grandson of Frank Gray, and brother of Harry Gray.
As of today, October 3, 2025, Gray's stats for the 2025/2026 season are available, with further insights into his performance and form. These include key stats, strengths and weaknesses, heat maps, and advanced analytics.
