Nick Montgomery says £40m Tottenham player works so hard in training he has to be forced to stop

In the world of professional football, where natural talent is a given, it is often a player’s mindset and work ethic that ultimately determine how far they can go.

At Tottenham Hotspur, one young talent is demonstrating these qualities in such abundance that he is already leaving a lasting impression on the coaches who work with him every day.

Archie Gray, the £40 million signing from Leeds United, is not just another promising youngster; according to those who see him behind the scenes, he is a model of dedication and professionalism whose commitment sometimes needs to be reined in for his own good.

This insight comes from Nick Montgomery, who worked closely with Gray last season as part of Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff.

Speaking on the Training Ground Guru Podcast, Montgomery painted a picture of a player whose appetite for improvement is insatiable.

Alongside fellow prodigy Lucas Bergvall, Gray is described as being “always in the gym, always doing the extras.” This isn’t just a casual comment about working hard; it highlights a relentless drive that goes above and beyond the required schedule.

In fact, Montgomery revealed that the coaching staff sometimes have to actively “pull them off the training ground” because their desire to put in extra work can border on being excessive.

This level of self-motivation is rare, especially in such a young player adapting to the immense pressures of Premier League football.

For Gray, it wasn’t just about showing up—it was about maximizing every single day. That mindset, Montgomery argues, is the true differentiator at the highest level.

“The ability is one thing,” he noted, “but the attitude has to be spot on every day.” This approach paid immediate dividends. In his debut season, Gray played over 50 games, a remarkable workload for any player, let alone a teenager, and played a key role in the club’s triumphant Europa League campaign.

Perhaps the most telling sign of Gray’s character is his versatility and selflessness on the pitch. Although Montgomery is adamant that Gray’s best position is in midfield, the player spent a significant portion of last season filling in at center-back, even playing on the left side despite being right-footed.

This wasn’t a strategic choice based on his ideal attributes; it was a necessity due to injuries, and Gray accepted the challenge without complaint.

“He just got on with it,” Montgomery said, emphasizing that the player’s willingness to help the team in any way possible speaks volumes about his maturity and team-first attitude.

Now, as Tottenham begins a new chapter under manager Thomas Frank, all eyes will be on how this exceptional talent is utilized.

Will he be deployed in his natural midfield role, where his energy, technical ability, and tactical intelligence can influence the game more directly?

Or will his defensive experience and adaptability see him continue to provide cover across the backline? Whatever the decision, one thing is certain: Archie Gray will approach it with the same unwavering dedication that has already made him a standout at the club.

His story is a powerful reminder that while talent may get a player noticed, it is their attitude and work ethic that will ultimately define their career. For Spurs, they have not only signed a tremendously gifted footballer but also a individual whose professional habits are those of a future leader.