It seemed Demarai Gray had been waiting to answer the question for some time. Clutching the boots which had just helped England reach the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championship on Thursday night for the first time in four attempts, the forward who learned his trade in the junior section of Cadbury Athletic – the non-league club in Birmingham’s south-western suburbs, affiliated to the world-famous confectioners, that produced Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge – twiddled his headphones in his hands and thought for a second.
“It is all about opportunities,” he finally replied when asked about the key to his development. “Playing at first-team level is how you progress the best. You learn about the real game. Managers have to trust you and give you a chance. If they do, we will have more English talent coming on show.”
Gray should know what he is talking about. In the aftermath of Leicester’s remarkable title triumph last summer, the player who does not celebrate his 21st birthday until next week was spotted proudly wearing his Premier League winners’ medal while strolling round the city centre. Yet after making 11 substitute appearances for Claudio Ranieri’s class of 2016 after signing from Birmingham for £3.75m that January, he was named on the bench a remarkable 38 times in all competitions as Leicester reached the Champions League quarter-finals and briefly flirted with relegation.
So one can imagine what went through Gray’s mind when the England Under-21 manager, Aidy Boothroyd, opted not to select him for their opening two matches against Sweden and Slovakia here in Poland.
“I was on the bench a lot last season and it was frustrating,” he said. “It was one of those things. I kind of kept myself motivated with this tournament. I didn’t start the first two games but I have had to apply myself. I have good people around me and I always believed I will get my opportunity. I scored and got an assist, so I am buzzing.”
His long-distance strike after six minutes of the showdown with the hosts settled English nerves as they went on to record a comfortable 3-0 victory that ensured they topped Group A. But while that owed something to fortune, given the large deflection off a defender’s head that sent the ball spinning past the helpless goalkeeper, there was nothing lucky about his role in Jacob Murphy’s clinching goal in the second half.
Released down the left by Lewis Baker’s excellent pass, Gray bided his time before cutting into the box and delivering the perfect ball for the Norwich man to seal the victory.
“It was three v two and I had to time the pass,” he reflected. “The second goal was important. The pass was the right decision and it killed the game off right there.”
Those who have watched his development might have expected the player who burst into the Birmingham first team as a 17-year-old in October 2013 to have pulled the trigger himself. But with so much riding on that moment as England sought to build on the positivity created by the under-20 side’s World Cup win in South Korea this month, Gray showed he is learning fast despite his lack of gametime under Ranieri and the Italian’s successor, Craig Shakespeare.
“I thought I was ready last season but sometimes you have to be patient,” he said. “Any opportunity you get you’ve got to try and express yourself.
“I am hungry and want to make my mark. I don’t feel like I have been able to do that as much as I want. I used this tournament last season to motivate me to show what I am capable of. As soon as I get a chance I want to have my best game.”
Gray added: “The under-20s’ achievement was massive and has given us motivation to follow in their footsteps. They are younger and to win something so big was nice to see. We saw their celebrations and we want the same celebrations here.”
Given the way they have grown into this tournament after a ponderous start in the 0-0 draw against Sweden, there is now every chance that could happen. Gray, who has been linked with moves to Tottenham and Liverpool this summer after reports that he was unhappy with his peripheral role at the King Power Stadium, insisted his only concern was guiding England to a first victory in this competition for more than 30 years.
“Next season is not here for me yet but I just want to keep up my performances out here,” he said. “Craig Shakespeare has always been there for me at Leicester. He always spoke to me one on one. With him getting the job now I am happy with that and hopefully I will get more of an opportunity. I have to train properly and I will get my chance.”
