Leeds United have confirmed the arrival of Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer, and are expected to sign one more striker, but the focus will be on Harry Gray next season. The famous surname makes him instantly recognisable because his family are Leeds royalty, but there is palpable excitement around the 16-year-old striker at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke has made it clear that Calvert-Lewin’s arrival cannot be the last attacking signing of the summer transfer window, and they need to improve the quality of their forward line before the September 1st transfer deadline.
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Leeds currently have three strikers in their squad following the arrival of the former Everton star, and there is firm belief among some fans that Farke should give Gray a chance in the Premier League next season to add some more excitement to the team.
While the 16-year-old striker has been part of Leeds’ pre-season games, the manager believes the teenager needs to develop further and is not too pleased about the extra attention he has been getting at this age.
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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke reveals his plans for Harry Gray
Farke has stressed the importance of not putting more pressure on the 16-year-old striker during his early stages of development and is not too pleased about the Elland Road fans singing about him at the end of last season.
He conceded that his surname makes it hard for him to stay away from the spotlight, but urged the fans and the media to leave him alone and let him develop, as he is still just 16.
The Leeds manager claimed that he is not going to speak about the teenage striker again until the next time he is on the pitch for the senior team.
“The plan is to take the focus away from him and not to speak about him too much”, Farke said in a press conference when asked about plans for the young striker this season.
“16-year-old youngster, I won’t speak too much about Harry because it’s difficult when you play for Leeds United, you have this last name, the whole stadium singing your name, and everyone expects you to celebrate once we get promoted as if you are the only one promoted.
“It’s never healthy for development, so my message is leave him alone a little bit, give him time to grow and develop.
“So this is the last time I will speak about him in a press conference, when he’s on the pitch, then we can speak about him again.”
Given his family legacy, Gray has big shoes to fill at Elland Road, but Farke is keen to see him get the space to develop.
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