Sometimes a player will arrive on the scene and everyone will predict stardom. Often it's premature – the youngster still needs to develop, and it's a challenge that ultimately separates the men from the boys. Leicester's young winger, Demarai Gray looks to be up for the challenge.
Gray was recognised as a potential talent early on in his career at Birmingham City. He broke onto the scene in the 2013/14 season, doing enough to be awarded the club's gong for academy player of the season. Having impressed several key figures at the club, Gray went on to become a key part of the first team in the following season, making 41 appearances and scoring 6 goals. This kind of impact in the Championship often attracts a lot of attention, the feeling being that the division is more challenging for creative, attacking players. His efforts over the season attracted admirers and eventually earned him a club award for a second consecutive year. Gray was in demand.
Leicester were the ones to finally secure Gray's signature in the end, acquiring him for just under £4 million, a bargain considering the premiums usually attached to home grown English attackers. He was thrown into the action straight away, playing in the FA Cup against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Instead of shrinking away, the winger played well – he assisted for Leicester's equaliser and in general gave the Spurs defence problems. At this point in the story it would appear the stars were aligning. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
Leicester's story last season has been glorified and analysed in equal measure, ever since their title win - especially given their somewhat lackadaisical form in the months following. Part of their success was down to the teamwork and cohesion shown between players – and with Gray an untested new face, minutes were hard to come by. Despite playing well when he did make the field, Gray made just ten substitute appearances over the course of the season.
This season however has been a different story – with various key players going through long periods of poor form, Gray won his chance to make a more telling contribution. However, Leicester's team problems as well as a change in management have led to Gray scoring just once in the league from 25 appearances. The young winger can hardly be blamed for poor form of others, but without a functioning side to slot into Gray has struggled to show off his skills. His new manager Craig Shakespeare has also preferred to use other players, leaving him on the bench when Leicester were chasing a goal (or two) against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.
The future still looks bright for Gray, who will turn 21 at the end of June. He is sure to enjoy a fruitful career in the top division, but it remains to be seen whether he can add to his pace and trickery and become a more rounded attacker. It's certainly not impossible with the right management – whether that person is Shakespeare or not is up for debate.
Photo by Ardfern
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