Paul Lambert has likened Leeds United’s young talent Archie Gray to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham. The former Ipswich Town manager believes the 18-year-old could benefit from leaving Elland Road.
Lambert told the Mirror (page 67, 31 May), “I saw Archie Gray playing for Leeds at Leicester earlier this season and I thought ‘Wow, this boy’s some player.’ Then I watched Leeds thump Norwich 4-0 in the play-off semi-final and thought ‘You’d be brilliant for Dortmund at your age.’ Jude is now a global superstar at Real Madrid, but his time with Borussia Dortmund gave him the platform for that. He thrived at Dortmund and look at him now.”
Lambert, who won the UEFA Champions League with Dortmund in 1997, understands what it takes to succeed at the club. For Gray, a move to Dortmund could be ideal.
Although some fans might argue Gray is too young for such a switch, Bellingham’s success suggests otherwise. The 20-year-old England international became one of the world’s top footballers after impressive performances in the Bundesliga with Dortmund. With Gray turning 19 midway through next season, he could follow a similar path.
Fans at Elland Road will hope to keep Gray, but if financial pressures force a sale, the fee he could command would be significant.
