Over the years, Leeds United have been known to produce countless youngsters who have come through the ranks before making an impact on the first team and banking the club a hefty profit.
Lewis Cook came through the club’s youth system in Yorkshire, before making 85 appearances for his boyhood club over a two-year spell between 2014 and 2016.
However, the now 28-year-old would depart Elland Road for just £6m, moving to Bournemouth and eventually achieving promotion with the Cherries and evolving into a top-class Premier League operator.
There’s no denying that the Whites offloaded the midfielder far too cheaply considering his rise, but ultimately the club were struggling with their finances at the time and had no choice but to cash in.
Fast-forward to 2025, Leeds are in an excellent financial position, with outgoings massively boosting the money available behind the scenes, with one player in particular raking the money in for the 49ers.
Archie Gray’s stats for Leeds in 2024/25
No supporter could’ve envisaged the impact Archie Gray would’ve had on the Leeds first-team last season, especially at the tender age of 17 when the season started.
However, the teenager would make 52 appearances across all competitions during his debut year for his boyhood club, helping the Whites reach the play-off final.
Gray would be unable to provide the difference as Daniel Farke’s men lost 1-0 to Southampton at Wembley, leaving in a £40m deal to join Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur, allowing him to take his young career to the next level.
He’s since managed to make 38 appearances in his first season in North London, being a key member of Ange Postecoglou’s side during their injury crisis – even featuring at centre-back during the Christmas period.
However, it all could’ve been so different, with Farke offloading a player last summer who was once ahead of Gray in the ranks within the first-team setup.
The Leeds player who was ahead of Gray but left for £0
Over the years, Leeds have had a plethora of midfield talents, none more so than Kalvin Phillips, who came through the academy before departing in a £45m deal to join Manchester City.
In the summer of 2021, the Whites forked out £1.5m for the signature of Lewis Bate from Chelsea, looking to add quality to the academy side for the future.
He would make four Premier League appearances in his first year in Yorkshire, being ahead of Gray in the pecking order given his tender age, but Bate would only be able to add one other first-team appearance to his tally.
Bate also partnered Gray in the heart of the side for the U23s in 2021/22, making more appearances than the now Spurs star, showcasing that he was ahead of the £40m man in his progression.
The 22-year-old, who’s previously been dubbed “superb” by journalist Sam Byrne, spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Oxford United, before joining MK Dons for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.
However, after just 22 appearances in League Two on loan at Milton Keynes, the midfielder would be released from his contract at Elland Road, ending his three-year spell in Yorkshire.
Games played
32
Goals & assists
8
Pass accuracy
86%
Chances created
1.2
Dribble success
64%
Tackles won
65%
Recoveries made
7.4
He’s since moved to Stockport County in League One, making 32 appearances to date, scoring twice and registering six assists, playing a crucial role in their hunt for promotion.
It’s a shame that his career hasn’t worked out the way many would’ve anticipated after his move from Chelsea, with Gray massively outperforming him as seen by his development in recent times.
There’s no denying that it’s great to see Bate in a settled environment after various loan spells away from the club, finally having the opportunity to kick on and make a success out of his career.
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