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Report: Tottenham monitoring ‘phenomenal’ teenager Ashley Phillips

Jordan Harris

Thu 3 February 2022 19:45, UK

Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring Blackburn Rovers defender Ashley Phillips, .

Antonio Conte is keen to strengthen his defensive options in the summer. Of course, Spurs signed a central midfielder and attacker during their first window under the Italian.

They are looking at a number of options. Tottenham reportedly have their eye on the likes of Sven Botman, Josko Gvardiol and Alessandro Bastoni.

The trio are all in the early stages of their careers. Botman and Bastoni are 22 years of age, while Gvardiol only turned 20 last month. However, they are not the youngest defenders on Tottenham’s radar by any means.

Spurs are keeping tabs on Phillips. Phillips was born in the same month Tottenham signed Aaron Lennon from Leeds United back in 2005.

Tottenham target Ashley Phillips tipped for ‘phenomenal’ future

Unsurprisingly, the 16-year-old is yet to make his senior debut at Ewood Park. But he was named on the bench for their FA Cup tie with Wigan Athletic in January.

He has played twice against Tottenham’s under-23s this season. On both occasions, the games ended in draws.

Some Spurs fans may be a little disgruntled to hear about links with a 16-year-old after a frustrating January. But Phillips looks to have a great future ahead.

Tony Mowbray described him as a ‘phenomenal young boy’. He went on to add to that he has every attribute.

Tottenham and Blackburn did do business in January. The two clubs agreed a deal for Dilan Markanday as his contract with Spurs ran into its final few months.

That deal probably disappointed plenty of Tottenham fans. Markanday had been outstanding for the under-23s, and he made his first-team debut under Nuno Espírito Santo.

But perhaps, Tottenham may now look to bring a youngster in the opposite direction in the coming months.