Archie Gray may lose his Leeds place to Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev due to an international development.

According to Beren Cross, it “won’t be long” before Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev start for Leeds United, most likely in lieu of Archie Grey.

The Leeds Live journalist noted on the outlet’s website on September 13 that with the two new senior midfield signings both getting triple figures in minutes on the pitch during the international break, and 17-year-old Grey being withdrawn from the England under-19s camp, the new men will be making their full debuts sooner rather than later.

According to Cross, the decision to withdraw the teenager from international competition demonstrates that “his match time needs to be managed,” as well as “caution with the youngster at the risk of burning him out before he reaches his mid-20s.”

Grey has started every game this season, along with another new acquisition, Ethan Ampadu, before Gruev and Kamara joined late in the transfer window from Werder Bremen and Rangers, respectively.

Necessary

Gray‘s rise this season, as great as it has been, would not have occurred in the manner that it has if Daniel Farke had not been forced to play catch-up in the transfer market.

The youngster’s future at the club is undoubtedly bright, and the chances of him never playing in the starting XI again are slim, but it wasn’t going to be sustainable to have him begin his career with a complete Championship season.

Grey should be relegated to a backup role behind him and Ampadu, with the money invested on the three new men around him being significant for a Championship team.

While it would be as distressing for the homegrown player to be dropped totally, given Farke‘s faith in him thus far, this seems improbable.

But, after being thrown into the deep end for Leeds United and then expected to keep himself afloat for nearly a month without backup, he has performed magnificently.

He wasn’t perfect, but for his age and experience, he obviously impressed, and significantly, he kept the Whites from having a huge problem in the centre of the pitch until they could bring in much-needed reinforcements.