Tottenham loanee Ashley Phillips will have caught the eye of Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham loanee Ashley Phillips has taken to life in the Championship like a duck to water.
Ange Postecoglou looks as if he will lead Spurs to Europe this year, and that means the 58-year-old is going to need a much bigger squad in order to compete next season.
Luckily for the Australian, if Phillips’ performances over the last month are anything to go by, the 18-year-old will be ready to make the step up upon his return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Phillips joined Plymouth Argyle on loan for the remainder of the campaign on 8 January, and the defender has already made quite the impression at Home Park.
He has started every match for Ian Foster since arriving, and his displays have so far suggested that he is a player who is ready to make the transition to the Premier League.
Phillips could make his mark at Tottenham next season
Speaking after Phillips’ impressive debut for the club during a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town on Saturday 14 January, via Plymouth Herald (15 January), Foster was full of praise for the youngster.
“If you were coming to the game without knowing them I don’t think you would think they were making their debuts, and I don’t think you would think they were both teenagers.
“I was pleased with how brave they were in possession and that 90 minutes-plus will do them the world of good in terms of getting them physically ready for what’s to come.”
Since that point, the England Under-19 international has continued to go from strength to strength.
He was particularly impressive in the FA Cup fourth-round clash with Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday 27 January, which ended 1-1.
As per Sofascore, that afternoon he made an impressive 10 clearances, three tackles, three interceptions and won three of his four ground duels.
Although he was on the losing end in the replay at Home Park, as the Whites stormed to a 4-1 victory on Tuesday 6 February, he was able to grab himself an assist while he also made five clearances, four interceptions and two tackles.
Despite his limited experience, he doesn’t look out of place at all in the Championship, and with another few months of experience under his belt by the time June comes around, he could be ready to make an impact under Postecoglou next season.
In other Tottenham news, ex-Spurs scout Bryan King is confident that one “big” Tottenham star will start against Brighton.
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