Tottenham Hotspur’s promising 18-year-old center-back Ashley Phillips, who sustained an injury while on England Under-19 duty in November, appears to be making significant strides toward recovery.
After being sidelined since the international break, Phillips was seen working out in the gym with the first squad, which is encouraging for his recuperation.
Ange Postecoglou stated earlier in December that Phillips will probably not return until the New Year.
But it appears that a comeback is imminent. The former Blackburn defender was visible in the video that Tottenham shared on their X account, which featured the Spurs player exercising in the gym.
Emerson Royal and Ashley Phillips of Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur First Team Training and Press Conference, Hotspur Way Training Centre, Enfield, UK – 08 Nov 2023
Building towards #TOTEVE 💪 pic.twitter.com/cHbbJeZtTN
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 20, 2023
Ashley Phillips 👀 pic.twitter.com/HrBZ8nM4Bj
— chris. (@spurslogic_) December 20, 2023
The youthful defender joined Spurs from Blackburn Rovers in the summer for a rumored £2 million, and boss Ange decided not to send him out on loan right away.
At barely 17 years old, Phillips had already made a big impression at Blackburn, making 14 senior games in all competitions.
Following Romero’s suspension and Micky van de Ven’s injury, rumors circulated that Ange was prepared to give Phillips a chance in the starting lineup.
Regrettably, the sudden injury hindered his progress with the senior group and reduced his prospects of being involved right away.
READY TO JOIN: I will choose Tottenham over any EPL team.
Jean-Clair Todibo explained why he rejected Man United before Tottenham came knocking
If Jean-Clair Todibo does join Tottenham in January, it won’t be a decision made lightly by the Frenchman.
TalkSPORT has learned that, following Micky van de Ven’s injury and some inconsistent play from Cristian Romero, Ange Postecoglou’s main priority for the January transfer window is the OGC Nice center-back.
Spurs and the Ligue 1 team have begun preliminary negotiations for the 23-year-old defender, who has long been considered one of the greatest in the world.
After making a name for himself as a young player at Toulouse, Todibo was signed by Barcelona in 2019. However, neither his time at Schalke in Germany nor his loan at Benfica in Portugal proved fruitful.
But he’s settled down with Nice on the French Riviera since 2021, and he’s not likely to give up that security quickly.
Manchester United, who made an attempt to sign the defender in the summer, is all too familiar with it.
Todibo subsequently provided an explanation of why they were unsuccessful in their quest in an interview with L’Equipe.
“There are guarantees when playing at Nice, but I’m not going to lie and say that I never considered the idea that maybe I should play in a ‘top club’ to increase my chances [of playing for France].”
“I had a distinct experience from what I had in past professional settings. My thought process was far more careful and in-depth. I didn’t want to select the wrong option. I maintained my composure.
These days, reflection is far more crucial than it was before. I’m awaiting the project’s final presentation.
“What am I supposed to do? Why am I attending? You shouldn’t show up at a club in that manner. At Nice, I know what I have. Why venture into the uncharted? Therefore, all must be evident. When I made my first transfer, I was eighteen. The level of thought was lacking.
In addition to Todibo’s doubts about leaving Nice, Jim Ratcliffe’s presence with the Spurs presents another challenge.
The British entrepreneur, who also owns Nice, is in the closing stages of concluding a deal to acquire 25% of Man United.
If that transaction goes through, it might make it even harder for Spurs to sign their top target because Ratcliffe is not expected to sell to a team in the top four.
