Gray hopes to become Leicester’s future England star

Scott Anderson
Demarai Gray: Learning from Riyad Mahrez

Demarai Gray: Offered motivation to take next step

Demarai Gray is hoping to learn from the likes of Riyad Mahrez in a bid to become the next Leicester player to emerge as an England star. 

Gray signed for the Foxes in a £3.5million January deal from Birmingham, and the 19-year-old was man of the match on his debut for England Under-21s in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland.

With fellow Leicester players Jamie Vardy, who scored with his first touch in the stunning 3-2 win over Germany at the weekend, and midfielder Danny Drinkwater both making the step up to the England senior team, Gray is hoping to become the next player to break into Roy Hodgson’s side.

Gray has only appeared as a substitute for Claudio Ranieri’s side since his switch earlier this year, but the youngster claims training with the likes of Riyad Mahrez will aid his development.

Speaking to The Sun, Gray said: “He was ripping it up in the Premier League before I signed for Leicester.

“So seeing him close up every day is good for me. It is showing me what I want to be doing and what I need to be doing within a few years to become a top player.

“A few months ago I was training at Birmingham and that was good for me because I came through the system there and that has made me what I am.

“But I think I am going to develop even more with Leicester, thanks to players like Mahrez. He does some crazy stuff.”