Tottenham overturn Thomas Frank opinion as 6ft 3in sensation seals summer exit

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Pranav Ravindrannair | Last updated Jul 25, 2025 6:05 PM ET

Thomas Frank was keen to retain Ash Phillips only for Tottenham Hotspur to sanction a loan deal to Stoke City

Tottenham Hotspur have officially confirmed that Ash Phillips will spend a second successive season on loan at Stoke City, as the highly rated 6ft 3in centre-back continues his development away from N17.

According to Football League World, Spurs boss Thomas Frank was keen to keep the English U20 international around the first team, Spurs have ultimately prioritised game time, and trusted Stoke to once again provide the right environment for the next stage in Phillips’ progression.

Sporting director Jonathan Walters, who has close ties with both Stoke and Spurs, played a key role in pushing the deal over the line, describing it as “a major achievement.” And from Tottenham’s perspective, it’s a decision that signals careful, strategic planning for one of the club’s brightest young defensive prospects.

A familiar setting

Despite scepticism about Phillips being Premier League-ready just yet, there’s no question about the 20-year-old’s growth last season. He started 35 matches and logged over 3,000 minutes, second only to Ben Wilmot in Stoke’s backline, showing durability, discipline, and glimpses of real authority at the heart of defence.

Stoke conceded 62 goals last season, but Phillips was a standout in a struggling side. Now, with Stoke aiming for mid-table stability or better under Mark Robins, Spurs will be closely watching how their young defender performs in a more settled system, one that demands more proactive play, something Phillips will need if he’s to eventually anchor the defence at Tottenham.

The long-term vision

For all the talk about Thomas Frank’s early assessments, it’s important to see this loan not as a demotion but a development tool. Spurs have done well to resist the temptation to fast-track Phillips into a Champions League squad and have instead trusted the process.

Given the way Tottenham are building under Frank, with clear long-term vision and renewed ambition in the transfer market, Phillips could be a key piece of the puzzle in the near future. Another full season of Championship football, this time in a team aiming higher, could be the launchpad that makes him first-team ready by next summer.

For now, Spurs fans should keep a close eye on the Potters, because the 20-year-old is still very much part of the future in North London.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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