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As Ashley Phillips walked out of the Hotspur Way doors this week before heading back to Stoke City he must have wondered if it was the last time he would work at Tottenham's training complex.
Still just 20-years-old and with plenty of praise from the clubs he has played at, it just hasn't worked out for the big centre back at the north London club. Since Phillips was signed from Blackburn in the summer of 2023, he has played 59 senior matches of football but not one of them has been for Spurs.
Tottenham activated the £2million release clause for the Salford-born youngster two years ago after he had made eight appearances for Championship club Blackburn before turning 18. Initially under Ange Postecoglou it looked promising for Phillips as he spent much of the first three months of the Premier League season in matchday squads, often ahead of the more experienced Eric Dier.
An ankle injury knocked him out of action for a month before Christmas, but he returned to the bench after that before Postecoglou decided he needed to go out on loan and play regularly.
The teenager duly did, making the move back to the Championship and Plymouth Argyle. Phillips starred there, helping Plymouth avoid relegation and he was named their Young Player of the Season despite only playing for half of it. He returned that summer and played a couple of pre-season friendly games but Postecoglou and his coaching staff were still not convinced that the youngster was ready for the Premier League.
Another loan came with a move to Stoke City and it brought a season that helped fortify Phillip's mental strength. Initially struggling to get into the team in the first couple of months, he grabbed his chance when it came and remained a near ever-present as three different managers tried their luck with the Potters.
The season also brought his first senior goal with a delightful back flick against then Premier League side Southampton in the Carabao Cup. In all Phillips made 39 appearances for Stoke and helped them to a final day escape from relegation.
With Postecoglou gone, Phillips might have hoped he would get a look in at Spurs on his return. The Australian's replacement Thomas Frank wanted to size up the England U20 international this summer at Hotspur Way but it was always going to be tough with the arrival of Luka Vuskovic and Kota Takai on top of the established senior centre-backs Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies.
The same appears to be the case for academy centre-back Alfie Dorrington, who has returned on loan to Aberdeen. At least he has played for Tottenham, making his debut in the Premier League during last season's win at Southampton.
The writing appeared to be on the wall for Phillips at Reading on Saturday when he was one of the three players on the bench who never got to come on, the 18-year-old Vuskovic chosen instead and scoring in an impressive debut.
Just a few days later and Phillips, who has three years left on his contract, was on his way back to Stoke, a place where he is most definitely wanted.
Stoke City Sporting Director Jonathan Walters said: "Being able to bring Ashley back to Stoke City despite plenty of competition is down to him loving his time here last season so much, and a lot of work that took place behind the scenes to make it happen. I know the support he received from our fans was a huge part of his positive experience of our club and I’m looking forward to seeing that bond develop even further.
"With the attributes he has and what he’s already achieved as a central defender at such a young age, Ashley, for me, is a potential full international of the future. To have him playing for us for another season is a significant coup and we all can’t wait to see him back on the field in a Stoke City shirt, doing what he does best for the Potters."
Phillips' own words were perhaps telling, saying he feels valued at the Championship club.
"It feels like unfinished business. I am absolutely buzzing to be back. I feel really valued, the coaching staff are brilliant, the gaffer has been amazing with me and presented me with the plan he has to help me to develop, it made it a no brainer," said the centre-back.
"Working with Ryan Shawcross in particular is great for me. He helped my game immeasurably last year and I am sure that will be the case again this season. Also, through thick and thin, our fans have turned up and supported us. They have been great to me, I know they will continue to be, and we will need them throughout the whole season."
The path at Tottenham is packed and currently blocked for Phillips. Whether it eventually clears or not, the young centre-back looks set to have a very good professional career ahead of him.
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