Roberto De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi is eyeing the potential addition of one of the Championship’s brightest young talents, Ashley Phillips, to the Tottenham Hotspur squad next season. Phillips, currently on loan at Stoke City, has impressed during his second stint in the Championship, playing more minutes than any other player aged 20 or under in the league. The defender, signed from Blackburn for £3 million in August 2023, has featured 36 times this season, helping Stoke maintain one of the best defensive records in the division.
Phillips’ performances have not gone unnoticed, as he has been nominated for the Young Player of the Season award alongside Jordan James of Leicester City, Sydie Peck of Sheffield United, and Bobby Clark of Derby County. The winner will be announced at the EFL Awards on April 19, broadcast live on Sky Sports Football. Despite only recently taking charge at Hotspur Way, Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly thrilled with Phillips’ development and is keen to integrate him into the first team upon his return to north London.
Ashley Phillips said: “I’d love to. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code: ENGFREEDEL. It’s a fantastic club, but we’ve got to see how the season finishes and then go from there for next year.”
Ashley Phillips continued: “I love being here, it’s a fantastic club. I’m very thankful for how they’ve developed me as a player. I feel like I owe everything to Stoke and that’s why I’ve been so keen to achieve great things this season, which I’m still positive about.”
Ashley Phillips added: “I forget sometimes I’m a loan player too. It feels like I’ve been here forever, to be fair. It’s a great club. The fans are great, the staff are great.”
The youngster Ashley Phillips said: “He’s very happy with how things are going. They’re making sure I’m on the right path. I’ve improved so much, and I’m thankful to all the staff here and all the players here. I’m very happy with my development, but I know I can push on even more. I have to keep kicking on.”
The Spurs loanee Ashley Phillips said: “I’ve been getting on the end of quite a few things to be fair, and it can be frustrating. I just have to keep it down a little bit. You look at the best centre-backs like John Terry, and he probably scored 10-plus in a season. You’re looking at players like that and it’s definitely one of my goals.”
Phillips’ leadership qualities were recognized last month when Mark Robins handed him the captain’s armband for the first time, a role he embraced by leading Stoke to a 3-3 draw against Ipswich Town. His performances have not only solidified his reputation as a promising defender but also as a leader on the pitch.
As Phillips prepares to return to Tottenham, he is determined to make a strong case for inclusion in De Zerbi’s plans. With his impressive track record and the experience gained at Stoke, Phillips is poised to become a key figure in Tottenham’s future defensive line-up.
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