Ange Postecoglou will need to find a replacement for the suspended Rodrigo Bentancur against AZ Alkmaar and he already has the perfect player.
Tottenham Hotspur head into the second leg facing a one-goal deficit after losing to Alkmaar in the Netherlands last week.
Lucas Bergvall’s own goal means Spurs have plenty of work to do should Ange Postecoglou’s side hope to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
The Australian manager will be without Bentancur who picked up his third booking of the competition and is now suspended, however, the man who should replace him is clear.
Archie Gray has already proved Ange Postecoglou must trust him in midfield
Postecoglou must finally unleash Archie Gray in midfield with the 19-year-old having already proved he can deal with the pressure.
Gray, who Ian Wright has called ‘unbelievable’, is yet to make a single start for Tottenham as a midfielder with Postecoglou playing him all the way across his back line.
But with Bentancur, who struggled in the first leg, suspended now is the chance for Gray to finally get his long-awaited and richly deserved chance to play in his natural role as a number six.
Last season, Gray featured mostly in midfield for Leeds United and arguably his best performance came against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup.
| Stat | Total |
| Passes | 45 |
| Pass accuracy | 94% |
| Accurate long balls | 1/1 |
| Key passes | 1 |
| Successful dribbles | 4/6 |
| Tackles | 2 |
| Duels won | 6/11 |
The then 17-year-old was facing over £100m worth of talent in the Blues’ midfield yet he still looked like the best player in the middle of the park.
Gray ended up winning the Man of the Match award despite Chelsea mounting a late comeback as he well and truly announced himself to English football.
The midfielder, who turns 19 today, has already shown such maturity and outstanding ability that Postecoglou simply cannot overlook him for the number six role any longer.
Where has Archie Gray played for Tottenham this season?
Gray has been asked to play in several different roles by Postecoglou this season including centre-back, right-back and left-back.
The teenager has shown incredible versatility for such a young player all whilst doing so playing in his first proper top-flight campaign.
| Position | Apps |
| CB | 19 |
| RB | 7 |
| LB | 5 |
| CDM | 2 |
His maturity to play out of position and his performances for Leeds last year show that Postecoglou needs to put his trust in him for the number six role.
