‘You can see’: Tyler Adams says one Leeds teenager has already seriously impressed him since signing

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New Leeds United signing Tyler Adams has heaped praise on youngster Archie Gray, in an interview with Yorkshire Evening Post.

The American international has been getting to know his new teammates during Leeds’ pre-season tour of Australia, and one of the players he’s been training alongside is 16-year-old Archie Gray.

When asked what the future holds for Gray, the midfielder said: “I think Archie is going to have some big opportunities coming up this season.

“When he’s on the field, he’s just himself, you can see he has that confidence, a little bit of arrogance through him and that’s what you need as a young player.”

Adams has previously been praised for his professionalism in training, making him a great role model for Gray to learn from.

Gray can look to Adams’ career for inspiration

Adams made his professional debut for New York Red Bulls as a 17-year-old, and it was current Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch who gave him that opportunity.

Gray has been exposed to the first team for some time now, being an unused substitute for Leeds on six occasions in the Premier League last season, although he was stretchered off in a senior pre-season friendly against Aston Villa.

And Adams have already spotted the similarities in their career paths up to this point: “It feels weird because that was like me when I first met Jesse and obviously he gave me that opportunity to sign and start my professional career so Archie seems to be, not following in my footsteps, but he’s going to have a great career.”

TBR View: Patience at Leeds the way forward for Gray

It’s normally recommended that young players go out on loan to gain first team experience, but this doesn’t feel like the right choice for Gray right now.

Gray doesn’t turn 17 until March, and throwing him into an unfamiliar environment with additional pressure feels like an unnecessary step.

Instead, Gray should stay at a club that has always had a reputation for giving youngsters opportunities, with a manager at the helm with a history of developing talented players.