Stoke City Transfer Notebook: Spurs Stance on Ashley Phillips and Ongoing Centre-Half Search
Ashley Phillips has returned to Tottenham Hotspur following an impressive loan stint at Stoke City, where the young centre-back earned plaudits for his mature performances in the heart of defence. The 18-year-old arrived at the bet365 Stadium in January and quickly cemented his place in the starting XI, becoming a vital part of the Potters’ bid to steer clear of relegation trouble in the Championship.
His displays did not go unnoticed by Stoke boss Steven Schumacher, who is understood to be keen on bringing the England youth international back to Staffordshire next season. However, Tottenham’s stance suggests that any such return might be more complicated than Stoke would like.
Spurs view Phillips as a long-term asset and were highly encouraged by his development under pressure at Stoke. Club insiders say he will be part of Ange Postecoglou’s pre-season plans, and a decision on whether he’ll be loaned out again will depend heavily on his performance during the summer tour. While another loan isn’t off the table, Spurs are not in a hurry to offload the promising defender unless they are convinced he won’t feature regularly at the Premier League level.
Stoke, meanwhile, are bracing themselves for a busy summer window, with the defence a clear area in need of reinforcement. The club is set to lose Enda Stevens, who is out of contract, and is also fielding interest in Ben Wilmot, who has admirers in the top flight and abroad. Schumacher and sporting director Jonathan Walters have already drawn up a shortlist of centre-half targets as they look to add both depth and quality at the back.
Phillips remains at the top of that list should Spurs agree to another loan deal, but Stoke are also exploring alternatives. Sources indicate that the club has shown interest in a couple of left-footed central defenders from the European market, as well as Championship-experienced names to ensure squad balance and resilience over a 46-game campaign.
It’s clear that Phillips’ time at Stoke was beneficial for both parties. The youngster showcased his physicality, composure, and aerial dominance—traits that made him one of the standout loanees in the division during the second half of the season. His presence helped stabilise a previously shaky backline, and his leadership qualities belied his age.
While the door has not been closed on a return, Stoke’s recruitment team is operating with the expectation that Phillips may not be available. That pragmatic approach ensures the club won’t be left scrambling late in the window and are prepared to pivot quickly should Spurs opt to retain the centre-back.
With pre-season fast approaching, Stoke fans can expect movement in the coming weeks as the Potters aim to build a squad capable of challenging in the top half of the Championship. Whether or not Ashley Phillips is part of that project remains to be seen, but his contribution will certainly be remembered—and may yet be rekindled.
Read more on;https://www.sportupdates.co.uk
Leave a Reply