Ange Postecoglou has provided insights into why 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray has not been featuring regularly for Tottenham Hotspur. While Gray joined Spurs from Leeds United in the summer for approximately £30 million, he has made only five Premier League appearances, none of which were starts .​

Ange Postecoglou has shed light on Archie Gray’s recent lack of game time at Tottenham, after the youngster’s minutes took a noticeable dip following the return to full fitness of a few Spurs stars. Earlier this season, a serious injury crisis hit the Tottenham Hotspur camp, which left as many as 12 players sidelined with injuries.

The club’s two centre-backs, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, alongside back-up option Ben Davies, were among those unavailable. This forced Tottenham to rely on makeshift solutions. Archie Gray, a midfielder by trade, was shifted into defence and played plenty of games as a makeshift centre-back. Played as… Apperances Centre-back 19 Right-back 8 Left-back 5 Defensive midfield 3

Archie Gray’s reduced Tottenham minutes explained by Ange Postecoglou

But now that the injury crisis has subsided and some of Tottenham’s best players are fully recovered, Gray’s playing time has decreased as Postecoglou has switched to using Lucas Bergvall in midfield and natural center-backs in defense. When asked why Gray’s playing time has decreased recently, Postecoglou told football.london it’s because he wants to give others an opportunity to get more fit.

He remarked: “I suppose that people only give these things a fleeting glance. I believe I would have stated that it was inconceivable if you had predicted at the beginning of the season that Lucas, Archie, and Mikey Moore would have played as much as they have.

“We have a very clear idea of where we want to be for the rest of the season, and players need to be healthy. Archie is doing really well, so other players get the minutes they need.”

“We have no doubt that Archie will be a key player for us for the rest of the season.”

Spurs fans question midfield role for Gray

Given how young and versatile the player is, Tottenham clearly has a real talent on their hands—a talent that was already acknowledged when Gray won the Young Player of the Year award at the London awards earlier this season. However, midfield appearances have been sparse, which may be because Gray hasn’t racked up many minutes there this season, unlike Bergvall, who has looked more settled in that role. Several Tottenham supporters have called for Gray to at least be played in his preferred role, especially as Yves Bissouma’s form has declined.

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