Leicester’s Demarai Gray: A loved and hated player

Demarai Gray has proven to be a controversial figure for Leicester. Fans have either grown tired of his inconsistency or wish to see him thrive.

Over the years, Leicester City fans have eagerly and patiently watched Demarai Gray grow as a footballer. Until yet, that is not the case. When Leicester bought him in the midst of their Premier League winning campaign from Birmingham City for a mere £3.7 million, they saw a raw product that could perhaps even replace Riyad Mahrez were he to leave.

Well, a year has passed since the Algerian icon left the King Power yet Gray hasn’t staked his claim like many thought he would. In and out of the starting eleven for various managers, he’s never cemented his place on the wing but has remained a curious case for any manager, from Craig Shakespeare to Claude Puel. One moment he’s being celebrated as player to watch both for club and country and the other as a Championship caliber player with no end product.

There’s no bigger example of this than in Leicester’s recent 3-1 EFL Cup win over Burton Albion. He provided a lovely assist for James Maddison late on, and was a consistent threat alongside Marc Albrighton. The Brewers had no answer for the 23-year-old’s tool kit, which includes scantling pace, vision, technical ability and tidy dribbling.

Often maligned at Leicester City

However, that is often where it ends for the England Under-23 international. He’s inconsistent in front of goal and his decision-making isn’t perfect, especially in critical situations. Despite his assist, fans absolutely roasted the young winger on Twitter after the Cup tie for his up and down performance.

See below some example tweets:

While many have grown weary of Gray’s inconsistent performances, others continue to hold out hope and point out the positives. Leicester assistant manager Chris Davies praised Gray, explaining that:

"“We ask all of our attacking players to firstly press and defend with aggression, and when we’ve got it, to be creative and dynamic, make runs and create chances, and he did that. It was a good night for Dimi.”Via: Leicester Mercury"

Former English international striker turned pundit Darren Bent recently said that “…for me, Demarai Gray, he looks like he’s getting back to his best. He was direct, created opportunities…”. Quote via TBR.

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It’s those opportunities fans have become critical of, as he often ruins those chances. It wastes all the effort of setting up that chance in the first place. Fans have expected Gray to overcome his weaknesses at this point of his career, knowing how long he’s been with the Foxes.

Others still recognize he has work to do but he still has bags of potential to go along with his impressive present tool kit.

Demarai Gray thus remains an enigma within the squad. Fans love him, fans hate him. It’s no secret that Leicester need some reinforcements on the wing this winter, even if Gray has a sudden increase in form. Will they cash in on Gray’s potential to a team like Lazio or Bournemouth, who have been linked with the winger in the past? Or will they keep him around and continue to give him chances like many fans are hoping for? Gray’s Leicester City future hinges on the next few months ahead.