Ashley Phillips began his professional football journey at Blackburn Rovers, but as he steps back onto the pitch at Ewood Park on Wednesday, there’s only one team he wants to see victorious—and that’s Stoke City. Phillips, currently on loan from Tottenham to Stoke City for the season, has a strong connection to Blackburn, where he launched his senior career two seasons ago. His performances there eventually earned him a transfer to Spurs in the summer of 2023, followed by loan spells at Plymouth and now Stoke. Eager to show how both he and his current team have evolved, Phillips is prepared to make an impact as he returns to the familiar ground.
The 19-year-old defender’s journey with Stoke City has been intense. Since joining, he has faced several challenges, including a concussion and a change in management. Despite these hurdles, he’s now feeling confident and settled, especially after Stoke’s 2-1 victory over Derby County, which he discussed with BBC Radio Stoke. Reflecting on the progress, Phillips noted that the team’s performance is improving with each game, citing their narrow loss to Southampton in the Carabao Cup as evidence of the growth in their play. He’s thrilled with the sense of unity within the squad, pointing out that they look more like a cohesive team than they did just a month ago.
This recent win over Derby was only Stoke’s second under the new head coach, Narcis Pelach, who replaced Steve Schumacher. But Phillips is enthusiastic about the changes Pelach has brought, emphasizing the positive impact he’s felt from the new management. Having grown up in Manchester, Phillips finds comfort being closer to home after a stint in Plymouth, which he found challenging due to the distance. Now, having settled quickly into life at Stoke, he’s back in the rhythm, playing three full matches in a row since his recovery from concussion. He’s already met some of his personal goals, including scoring his first professional goal against Southampton, and is eager to achieve more, particularly by adding to his tally of clean sheets.
Phillips credits Pelach and the coaching staff for creating a positive environment at Stoke, one that has accelerated his development. He’s grateful for the guidance he’s received, feeling that the “gaffer” has already taught him a great deal in a short time. As he heads into the match at Ewood Park, Phillips is eager to showcase his growth, both personally and as part of a team that’s starting to gel.
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