Spurs defender scores within two minutes of being subbed onto the pitch

It seems Ashley Phillips is just going from strength to strength at the moment, as the young Tottenham defender not only looks set to make his way into Ange Postecoglou’s plans, but has also just scored his first goal at U19 international level.

Signed from Blackburn Rovers this summer in a £2m deal (BBC), Ashley Phillips was thought to be a player Spurs would develop for the future.

At just 18 years of age, and with just 14 senior appearances to his name (Transfermarkt), certainly no one expected Phillips to be in contention for much first-team football at Tottenham this season.

The player himself actually told the club website that he hopes to be involved with Ange Postecoglou‘s first team this year. And, just as he hoped, Phillips found himself on the bench for the recent win against Burnley in the Premier League.

Postecoglou has previously revealed Phillips will train with the first team ‘week in, week out’ (Football.London) and apparently the young defender has left his manager very impressed so far (Sky Sports).

(Photo by Mick Walker – CameraSport via Getty Images)

Ashley Phillips off the mark for England

With Davinson Sanchez leaving Spurs this summer, there is a chance we could see Phillips take to the field for the first team. And now, the youngster will be heading back to North London after the international break with his goal for the England U19s.

Phillips came off the bench after 63 minutes in the game against Switzerland, and within two minutes, had found the back of the net. A cross into the box fell to Phillips, who rifled home his effort via a deflection to claim his first goal at international level.

Fellow Spurs centre-half, Alfie Dorrington, also featured in the game, having made the starting line-up for the 4-2 win over Switzerland.

Spurs Web Opinion

I can’t wait to see Ashley Phillips given his opportunity with the Spurs first team, and I suspect it will come pretty soon. Eric Dier is clearly not in Postecoglou’s plans, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Phillips was almost above him in the pecking order now.