Tottenham have the option to recall Ashley Phillips on loan from Stoke City in January
It’s been an incredibly inconsistent season for Tottenham Hotspur so far, picking up some fantastic wins while also mixing it with awful defeats. Their performances have been impacted by some significant injury problems, potentially highlighting a lack of depth in their squad.
Ange Postecoglou has been experiencing a defensive injury crisis in his second season in North London. Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies are dealing with injury problems, which has left Ange Postecoglou short of options at the back.
This has forced the Australian tactician into using young midfielder Archie Gray in a centre-back role alongside Radu Dragusin, who was forced off with an ankle problem in the 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest but recovered in time to face Wolves on Sunday.
With the experienced defenders still some way off from returning to the fray, Tottenham must look for solutions in the market to help out Postecoglou. Or else, they could decide to recall one of their defenders from loan.
Earlier this month, Spurs were contemplating recalling Ashley Phillips from loan at Stoke City to help cover their injury crisis. Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham was initially against Tottenham cutting short the young defender’s loan spell at Bet36 Stadium.
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However, after Stoke City decided to part ways with head coach Narcis Pelach last week, John Wenham has speculated that the North London outfit could now recall the centre-back in January.
“It is an interesting one with Phillips,” Wenham exclusively told Tottenham News.
“Stoke have now changed managers. Therefore, I’ll be curious to see if Phillips continues to be picked by the new manager. If he isn’t part of his plans, Tottenham will look at the situation and could potentially recall him.
“I know some have suggested he should be recalled anyway as a result of this injury crisis, and that might be more likely now after this managerial change.”
Ashley Phillips is yet to make an appearance for Spurs since joining from Blackburn Rovers in a £3million deal in the summer of 2023. After spending the second half of last season on loan at Plymouth Argyle, the Manchester-born talent joined Stoke City earlier this summer. Initially struggling to find his feet, he became a mainstay in the Potters’ backline under former boss Narcis Pelach.
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The centre-back has made 12 starts in the Championship thus far, delivering some strong performances. There is a release clause in Phillips’ season-long loan deal at Stoke which Tottenham could trigger from the start of the New Year.
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However, Daniel Levy must avoid cutting short Phillips’ loan spell and disrupt his development at the Championship club. He has found his feet in Stoke colours and should be allowed to complete the entire season. Instead, Spurs must look to sign an experienced centre-half to boost the defensive roster at Big Ange’s disposal.
