Still a few TFC posters around who seem to think players are born to only play one position, and the coach should only play them in that position, so thought it might be worth a reminder of other Spurs players :
Firstly Martin Jol, then manager of Ajax, inherited a central midfielder who he thought would be an even better centre back. He became such a good centre back that Spurs bought Jan Vertonghen, who whilst at Spurs became recognised as one of the best centre backs in Europe, particularly when looked at a pairing with Toby Alderweireld.
Belgium (one of the top teams in europe at that time) were over endowed with centre backs, so Spurs top centre backs were played as full backs - Jan Vertonghen as LB and Toby Alderweireld as RB for a couple of years.
Spurs very occasionally used Jan as LB, most spectacularly v Borussia Dortmund where Vertonghen started as CB and Ben Davies as LB, but without Dortmund noticing they changed position at HT. Vertonghen totally destroyed Dortmund down the left hand side scoring a magnificent goal and getting an assist as Spurs scored 3 second half goals. MOTM for a totally unexpected and game changing performance at LB.
And Ben did alright as CB having started at LB as well.
So Vertonghen played in top teams in central midfield, centre back and left back - although we tend to remember him only as a top class centre back.
Not to mention Alderweireld as CB and RB or Ben Davies (always LCB in over 90 appearances for Wales) as CB and LB.
Secondly Martin Jol when Fulham manager inherited a very low scoring centre forward in Moussa Dembele who he persuaded to drop back into Centre Midfield at about aged 23.
I think we'd all agree Dembele's ability to keep the ball whilst progressing it up the field made him almost a unique player in world football - I'm not sure I've seen anyone come even close.
So feel sorry for fans at his previous clubs who saw a striker who was pretty mediocre. And praise Martin Jol for persuading the player to change.
I see an Archie Gray who was very good for Leeds youth in central midfield, who due to Leeds having 2 injured RB's (including Spence on loan) took a chance and with Gray making his first team debut at RB where he totally made the position his own for season 23/ 24 - I think he played LB a couple of times but not sure he ever played DM. Spurs bought the 18 year old as we could see a top prospect versatile enough to play in at least 2 positions.
Gray has excelled himself in playing not only RB but also CB (which is actually reasonably similar to DM) when we have needed cover in those positions due to injury. I'm sure he's earned a lot of credit 'in the bank' at Spurs for his willingness to play in different positions and will get his chance to play DM, quite possibly in the 2nd half of the season assuming injuries allow. Worst case is he ends up like Paul Madeley under Don Revie (and alongside Eddie Gray , Archie's great uncle) - who played in pretty much every outfield position on the pitch although best known as a defender, and good enough to play for England in probably 6 or 7 different positions as well as winning several first division titles due to his versatility. I hated Leeds at that time as they were a dirty side, but utmost respect for Madeley who you never knew where he was going to play .... and Eddie was a great winger
Gray has all the attributes to be a star player : lets see in which position or positions !
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