“Destined for bigger and better” – Stoke City hopes of Tottenham transfer agreement played down | OneFootball

The Tottenham loan star had such a big impact at the bet365 Stadium this season that he’s unlikely to return next term.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Ashley Phillips has by some distance experienced the best season of his career this campaign.

The 19-year-old spent the season with Stoke City, where he started off on the bench before nailing down his starting position and earning 35 appearances.

With the Potters’ season now over, attention has turned to whether they might be able to land the young defender on loan once more for the 2025-26 season, given how well he developed in Staffordshire.

Chances of Stoke City, Ash Phillips reunion dubbed slim

FLW asked our Stoke fan pundits, Daniel Buxton, whether they might be able to land him on another loan deal next season, such was the impact that the young centre-half had at the bet365 Stadium.

“I would expect Ashley Phillips to be destined for bigger and better things," Daniel told FLW.

“There's no way we can afford to get him permanently. I don't think there's even a chance we get him on loan. He's been absolutely sensational this season.

“In a season of, well, a lot of dross for Stoke, a lot of upheaval, four different managers, he's been a real shining light.

“I was amazed that Spurs didn't recall him in January, when they had no centre-backs, but I'm really glad they didn't.

“The fact that he's also been playing with injury for the past few weeks as well, he closed the season out with a couple of injuries he was managing and still put it in the level of performances he was, just, yeah, amazing, for a teenage lad as well.

“He's got a real bright future in the game.”

Stoke City may still take something from Ash Phillips' season-long stint

Daniel’s realistic assessment is more than likely correct; Stoke are unlikely to attract Phillips back for another loan.

It is clear, based on his age and the importance he came to have at the bet365 Stadium, that he is going to be capable of level much higher than the lower end of the Championship.

A permanent deal would surely be beyond the spending power of Stoke, and if Spurs are looking to loan him out again, it would have to be to a top-end Championship club or a lower-end Premier League club for it to maximise the value and development of the player.

But all is not lost.

Premier League clubs always have a surplus of talented youth players in their academies, but it is often difficult to find them a temporary club that actually assists their progression, and too commonly, such players end up little more than a squad player.

That has its benefits, but the primary focus of almost every loan for a youngster is getting minutes into the player and helping them transition into senior football.

With the Phillips deal, Stoke have shown just how committed they are to playing that vital role in a player’s development, and just how much trust they are willing to give a young player relatively quickly.

So, it may not be the case that Phillips himself will be available for Stoke next season, but Premier League clubs will be alert to the fact that the Potters is a good place to send their youngsters for experience.