'I'd love that' - Sheffield Wednesday's Harry Gray makes Leeds United admission and outlines position preference
Harry Gray has discussed his Leeds United ambition following his loan move to Sheffield Wednesday
Harry Gray would “love” to make a Premier League breakthrough with Leeds United after his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday - but currently has laser focus on the Owls.
Wednesday have been trusted with the short-term development of Gray, arguably Leeds’ most promising young talent.
A precocious forward who has mesmerised at youth level, Gray showed plenty of promise during a crash course of a loan spell at Rotherham United last season.
Harry Gray’s Leeds United hope
He is now back in League One and while he does have an eye on his future at Elland Road, securing promotion with Wednesday is all the 17-year-old cares about for now.
Gray told BBC Radio Sheffield: “Obviously I'd love that (to play in the Premier League with Leeds), but who knows what's going to happen? Leeds could go win the league or whatever, be in the Champions League.
“Then I guess I wouldn’t be playing, but who knows? A year is a long time in football. Right now, all I care about is getting promoted here.”
Position preference
Gray is a forward by trade and sees his future as a central focal point at the top end of the pitch. However, while he continues to acclimatise to the rough and tumble of senior EFL football, he may well find himself occupying different roles in the final third.
Rotherham utilised Gray out wide and it would not come as much of a surprise to see him on the flanks at Hillsborough.
He said: “Personally, in myself, I want to be a striker. That’s - not unrealistic - but it’s a lot at 17, a lone striker in League One, it’s not going to happen every week.
“But also, I love playing in attacking positions, in the 10 or off the left where I can cut in or go down the line. That’s where I’d say the manager here’s said [he sees me], as a 10 or a left-winger, but also up front when you’re needed.”
The season ahead for Sheffield Wednesday
A new era is being ushered in at Wednesday following the completion of a long-awaited takeover by Arise Capital Partners.
The club’s new owners have a lot of mismanagement to correct, but ambitious transfer market activity has indicated they do not want Henrik Pedersen’s men in League One for long.
Gray said: “100 per cent - get promoted - that’s the goal, that’s definitely the aim.
“I think Sheffield Wednesday is similar to Leeds in a way where this year, like Leeds were in the Championship, you're going to have to win every game, no matter what. And if you're not, you've not done your job. It's what I need, and it's perfect for me.”