Johan Lange's transfer mistake is now really hurting Archie Gray at Tottenham - Opinion
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One of Tottenham Hotspur’s big transfer mistakes is coming back to haunt them and it’s hurting Archie Gray who is being forced to play out of position.
Gray is being asked to fill in at centre-back and whilst the teenage midfielder is doing a commendable job there, it’s clear he would thrive in the centre of the park.
Tottenham’s unprecedented injury crisis has forced him to drop into the deeper role of centre-back as Ange Postecoglou has just one fit option available.
The 18-year-old is rightfully receiving his flowers for the job he is doing for the Lilywhites, however, Postecoglou should not be in a position where he has to use Gray in defence.
Tottenham’s lack of central defenders is hurting Archie Gray
Tottenham opted not to sign another central defender in the summer and stuck with Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies.
Considering the drop-off in quality between Romero and Van de Ven to Dragusin and Davies and the duo’s injury record, not bringing in another defender is hurting the team.
Archie Gray is too good to be playing there and given Spurs’ need for a number six, it’s just ridiculous that another top central defender wasn’t signed.
| Stat | Total |
| Matches | 14 |
| Touches | 46 |
| Accurate passes per game | 35.6 (91%) |
| Clean sheets | 1 |
| Interceptions per game | 0.4 |
| Tackles per game | 0.6 |
| Balls recovered per game | 2.4 |
It’s January 16 already and given there have been very few links to new defenders, it seems as though the club are just waiting for Romero, Van de Ven and Davies to return rather than proactively signing a new option.
Davies is back in training, and Romero and Van de Ven are reportedly set to return on January 26 – this cannot come soon enough so that Gray can finally start to get minutes in midfield.
Archie Gray already has the perfect midfield partner at Tottenham
Tottenham’s situation is quite telling right now considering 18-year-old Lucas Bergvall is one of their best performers and that was certainly the case at the Emirates.
Declan Rice praised Bergvall and Gray after the North London derby as he was so impressed how they were getting regular Premier League minutes despite only being 18.
Tottenham fans also credited Bergvall’s display and there is now a desire for Postecoglou to build his midfield around the two teenagers.
