Gray Keen To Kick On At Leicester City
- Leicester City's Demarai Gray expresses his delight after signing a new contract
- The England youth international agreed terms on a new deal which will last until June 2021
- Gray is confident he can progress under new Foxes boss Claude Puel
- The aim for Gray is to now build upon his performance against Everton on Sunday
The England Under-21s winger, who joined the Club in January 2016, penned his new deal on Thursday after a delivering a virtuoso display during City’s 2-0 victory over Everton on Sunday afternoon.
First embarking on an intrepid gallop from deep in his own half to play a decisive role in Jamie Vardy’s opener, Gray then added a goal of his own in Claude Puel’s first match as manager.
Speaking exclusively to LCFC TV at Belvoir Drive this week, Gray said: “I’m very happy. I just want to kick on and keep doing what I’m doing.
Gray Delighted To Pen New Deal
Demarai Gray spoke to LCFC TV after putting pen-to-paper on a new deal that keeps the winger here until 2021.
"I want to be starting games and, for me to be doing that, I have to work hard in training.”
Puel’s first tactical move as Foxes boss was to place Gray on the right side of an attacking 4-2-3-1 stratagem, linking the 21-year-old up with international team-mate Ben Chilwell on opposite sides.
Gray was unequivocally acknowledged as City’s key man on Sunday and he believes he can only improve under the guidance of a manager renowned for developing young talent.
Among others, Puel has helped the likes of Eden Hazard, Hugo Lloris, Yohan Cabaye and Alexandre Lacazette climb the ranks. Now Gray hopes he can be the next beneficiary.
“That will help me develop as a player, I want to kick-start and get some momentum with a run of games,” he continued.
“It’s nice for me to know I have the backing of a manager who likes young players.
“In the long-term it will help me very well. I want to impact games and, most importantly, help the team win games. Staying here with the staff will help me develop.
“He will coach and help me grow into the player I know I can become.”
Gray has played with Chilwell for over three years with England and their strong bond is often evident on the pitch whenever they feature alongside one another.
Goals: Leicester City 2 Everton 0
Watch the goals from the Foxes' 2-0 victory over Everton at King Power Stadium...
Many supporters consider the dynamic duo to represent the Club’s bright future and the former Birmingham City forward explained the understanding he shares with his Foxes colleague.
He added: “It is always nice [to play alongside Chilwell], I’ve played with Ben since Under-18s at England. We’ve played a few times on the left together.
“We have chemistry, we know each other well. When we’ve played together for England and Leicester, we have played well.
"We’ve spoken about it and that’s what we’d love to do.”
Gray, a Premier League champion, is keen to continue learning from those around him at King Power Stadium.
Speaking at the Club's training ground, he revealed his confidence that training with Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton, established Premier League wingers, can only bode well for his own development.
“They are very experienced, I have learned a lot off both of them,” he said. “I am only going to get better from watching them.
“They’ve played a lot and I’ve had to watch them. Everyone wants to get into the team and, when you’re not, you have to watch them. It’s helped me a lot.”
After seeing Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Winks become the latest name to earn a maiden England call-up this autumn, Gray says the ultimate aim at international level is to represent the seniors.
“For anyone in that set-up, that’s the target,” he said. “You have to be playing regularly for Gareth [Southgate] to see what you can do.
“Being in the England set-up is very good for young players. A few of my team-mates have just gone up to the senior squad so I know it’s possible.”
Gray concluded with nod to the Club’s supporters. With just under four years at City ahead of him, Gray emphasised just how much he values the Blue Army's backing.
And, for Gray, performances are the best way to thank them: “The fans are important for me and the team. Having the fans behind me, it’s a nice feeling.
"When I play it is always about giving something back.”