Archie Gray believes Tottenham have a prime opportunity to end their 17-year wait for silverware by winning the Europa League this season.
Despite a challenging domestic campaign – which sees Spurs sitting 13th in the Premier League and eliminated from both domestic cup competitions – European success remains a realistic target.
Many bookmakers currently rate Tottenham as favourites to lift the Europa League trophy, with their last-16 clash against AZ Alkmaar set to begin next week.
Gray, 18, has been a standout performer in what has been a difficult season for Spurs. His efforts were recognised on Thursday when he was named Men’s Young Player of the Year at the London Football Awards.
Speaking after receiving his award, Gray opened up the club’s lengthy trophy drought, which dates back to their 2008 League Cup triumph.
“It is not something we speak of because we know the opportunity that we’ve got is golden, especially in the Europa League, with the squad we’ve got and people coming back from injuries, we know we can change that [trophy record],” Gray said.
Archie Gray has been named Young Player of the Year at the London Football Awards 🤩
Congratulations, Archie! 👏 pic.twitter.com/KhwyDs4X1X
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 27, 2025
“We are just focusing on the next game and being carried away. That [winning the Europa League] is definitely the goal but we are not getting carried away. It is the Europa League next game but we’re just taking it each game at a time.”
Since making the switch from Leeds United last summer, Gray has made 35 appearances, often playing out of position as a center-back rather than in his preferred midfield role.
The England under-21 international also praised the influence of club captain Heung-Min Son, crediting him with helping him settle in at Spurs.
“He’s definitely a world-class player and as a person, he’s probably one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met,” Gray added.
“Ever since I first moved to the club, he always sat down and had breakfast with me every morning which for a new player at the club – you look at players like Sonny, Madders [James Maddison], all of them in the squad to be fair – you wouldn’t really expect them to go out of their way to speak to the new 18-year-old who’s just come from a Championship club.
“To be fair to them, they’ve helped me settle in really well and everyone has been amazing with me.”