How Gray is proving a shining light in Tottenham’s season of turmoil

Seismic changes are coming at Tottenham Hotspur this summer, whether they stay up or not.

Plenty of players will move on, lots of new faces will come in, and another coach will almost certainly be in the dugout. A few members of the squad may even emerge from this adversity hardened and improved.

Archie Gray is the prime candidate for the latter. In recent weeks, when Tottenham have sunk to calamitous lows, the 20-year-old has raged against the dying of the light in north London.

That theme continued on Wednesday night in the Champions League, when Gray was superb in Tottenham’s 3–2 win over Atletico Madrid. The victory was Spurs’ first since January, although it wasn’t enough to overturn their 5–2 deficit from the first leg.

Gray was the big positive to cling to ahead of Sunday’s gigantic showdown with relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.

“He’s playing continually in the right way, in a good way,” said Spurs boss Igor Tudor after the game.

“It’s a mix of quality, physically and mentally, to always make the right choices, be humble, and have the legs to do so.”

Gray made his 16th European start for Spurs on Wednesday night, with only Steve Perryman making more in the club’s history before the age of 21, and it was among his best performances since his £30m transfer from Leeds in 2024.

It was an all-round effort Spurs fans have grown used to. The youngster created two chances – including an assist – and won possession back a team-high nine times for Tottenham.

The assist for Xavi Simons’ goal means Gray has four goal contributions – one goal and three assists – in his last seven appearances for Spurs. He had registered only one in the previous 24 matches for Tottenham before that run.

When he was eventually withdrawn in the 81st minute, the England youth international received a standing ovation from the home supporters.

Gray even received a handshake from Atletico Madrid veteran Marcos Llorente as he left the pitch; perhaps a moment of recognition from one central midfielder frequently played out of position to another?

Gray’s versatility has been valuable to Spurs over the last couple of seasons, with injury crises and managerial changes – and subsequently different tactics and formations – creating a chaotic environment.

In his first season, Gray played 53% of his minutes as a centre-back and 21% as a right-back in all competitions. This year, he has had a little more stability in his preferred midfield role, albeit he’s still been plugged into gaps when required.

His ability to thrive in so many different roles suggests a natural feel for the game – something former England international midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who was also frequently used as a right-back, picked up on in his analysis of Gray’s performance against Atletico.

“When he wants, he can play quickly,” he said on TNT Sports. “I think sometimes in these games, players take too many touches. Archie did everything very quickly, and I thought he was incredibly effective.”

Like Hargreaves, Gray could potentially play for a number of nations at international level.

Despite his grandad Frank and great-uncle Eddie representing Scotland, Gray has opted for England, although he has yet to make a senior appearance for the Three Lions. A final decision on his international allegiance will have to be made soon if he continues this form, with a call-up likely on the cards.