Alasdair Gold has revealed that summer signing Ashley Phillips will train regularly with the Tottenham’s senior squad.
Phillips is highly thought of within the game, with the centre-back having broken into Blackburn’s senior side agent just 17, and making 14 senior appearances across all competitions for the Championship side last season (Transfermarkt).
The 18-year-old took home the Apprentice of the Season award in the English second tier and even captained England’s Under-18s in the recently concluded International Tournament of Lisbon.
In his first interview with Tottenham’s official channel last month, Phillips admitted that he wants to be involved in the first-team environment this season.
That looks like it is already happening, with Ange Postecoglou even naming the teenager on the bench for the clash at Turf Moor on Saturday ahead of Eric Dier.
(Photo by Mick Walker – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Ashley Phillips will be a regular in first-team training
Gold has now revealed that Tottenham’s plan is for Phillips to remain in the first-team set-up rather than training with the Under-21s.
When asked if the youngster could be handed an opportunity by Postecoglou, the journalist said on a Q&A on Football.London: “He’s on the fringes right now. He’s very young – just 18.
“But as the season goes on, with work from Postecoglou, he could play a part if he’s not loaned in January. He’s going to train with the first team week in, week out.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Over the course of his managerial career, Postecoglou has shown that he is not afraid to hand opportunities to youngsters if they show that they are good enough. So, I certainly would not rule out the possibility of Phillips making a few senior appearances this season.
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