Tottenham are about to complete a third transfer that raises question in Thomas Frank plan

Ashley Phillips Returns to Hotspur Way Amid Uncertainty Over Tottenham Future

Ashley Phillips was among a host of returning players at Hotspur Way on Saturday as Tottenham Hotspur officially kicked off their pre-season preparations for the 2025/26 campaign. The 20-year-old centre-back spent last season on loan in the Championship with Stoke City, and as things stand, his future at Spurs remains uncertain heading into the new season.

Having joined Tottenham from Blackburn Rovers two summers ago with a promising reputation, Phillips has yet to establish himself in north London. Despite being tipped for big things, the young defender has not made a senior competitive appearance for the Lilywhites, although he has featured in pre-season friendlies since his arrival. In his debut season under Ange Postecoglou, Phillips was overlooked for first-team action, even during a period when Spurs were suffering a defensive injury crisis. Instead, he was sent out on loan to Plymouth Argyle in January, where he impressed greatly and was named the club’s Young Player of the Season after just 20 appearances.

Following his successful stint with Plymouth, the decision was made to loan him out once more, this time to Stoke City, where he again caught the eye with consistent and mature performances. His displays in the Championship did not go unnoticed, with reports now linking Premier League new boys Sheffield United with a possible permanent move for the defender.

However, the landscape at Tottenham has shifted significantly in recent months. With Thomas Frank now installed as head coach, Phillips may feel this is a fresh opportunity to finally break into the Spurs first team. A change in leadership could open doors that were previously closed, and the young defender will be eager to impress during pre-season and prove he can contribute at the top level.

But Phillips faces an uphill battle. A number of developments in his position could complicate his route to the senior squad. Notably, Tottenham bolstered their central defensive options during the latter part of the previous campaign. Kevin Danso, who initially joined Spurs on loan from French club RC Lens in January, made a solid impression and has now joined permanently after a buy clause in the loan agreement was triggered.

Moreover, highly rated Croatian prospect Luka Vuskovic is now officially part of the Tottenham squad. The 18-year-old joined the club from Hajduk Split after a deal was agreed in September 2023, and he too was present for the first day of pre-season training over the weekend. Despite his youth, Vuskovic already boasts significant first-team experience, having played in Croatia, Poland, and Belgium with Radomiak Radom and Westerlo respectively. His rapid development and glowing reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders could see him climb ahead of Phillips in the pecking order.

To further add to the competition, Spurs are on the verge of completing a £5 million move for Japanese centre-back Kota Takai from Kawasaki Frontale. The 20-year-old said his farewells to fans over the weekend, receiving a heartfelt guard of honour from teammates, signalling the end of his time in the J.League. Takai is expected to join the Tottenham squad shortly, bringing yet another young, dynamic option into the defensive mix.

With these arrivals, the centre-back department at Spurs is becoming increasingly crowded. Phillips, who has already endured two loan spells in the Championship without a single competitive appearance for his parent club, may find his path to first-team football blocked once again—unless he can make a significant impression on Thomas Frank during pre-season.

Over the coming weeks, as Spurs prepare for domestic and European challenges ahead, Frank will assess his squad thoroughly. Training sessions, behind-closed-doors games, and the upcoming pre-season friendlies—starting with a clash against Reading—will be critical in determining who stays and who is loaned or sold.

For Ashley Phillips, the next month could be career-defining. Whether he manages to carve out a role in Tottenham’s plans for 2025/26 or is once again moved on—either temporarily or permanently—will depend largely on how he performs in front of the new head coach and coaching staff.

The battle for places is well and truly on, and Phillips finds himself at a crucial crossroads in his young career.