Exclusive: How Don Goodman feels about Stoke City agreement with Tottenham | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has exclusively told FLW his thoughts on Ash Phillips re-signing for the Potters

Stoke City have secured the return of 20-year-old centre-back Ash Phillips on a second successive season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

Phillips becomes the fifth summer acquisition for Mark Robins' side and rejoins a squad that finished 18th in the Championship last term after conceding 62 goals.

According to journalist Alan Nixon on his Patreon, new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank reportedly informed Spurs' hierarchy that the 6ft 3in defender was in his first-team thoughts - and to reject any loan offers.

Despite that stance, former Potter and current sporting director at Stoke - Jonathan Walters - convinced Spurs to sanction another temporary switch, branding the deal "a major achievement" when it was announced on 23rd July.

Ash Phillips could be a "real asset" for Stoke City

Sky Sports pundit, Don Goodman, has exclusively told FLW his thoughts on Phillips re-signing for the Potters - initially finding it hard to believe he would've been near Thomas Franks' plans at all.

"With respect, I find it difficult to think that Ash Phillips would be part of Thomas Frank's plans for Spurs given he’s only 20, it’s been a real short, fledgling career," Goodman told FLW.

Phillips started all 35 matches he appeared in during the 24/25 campaign, playing a total of 3,082 minutes - the second-most for a centre-back at the Stafforshire outfit behind Ben Wilmot (3,243).

Goodman also pointed out how his other second-tier loan spells were to relegation-threatened sides, "He’s only ever played in struggling teams at the bottom end of the Championship," Goodman added.

Although he made eight Championship appearances for Blackburn Rovers before signing for Spurs in 2023, Phillips joined Plymouth Argyle on loan the year after and played 18 times as the Pilgrims finished 21st.

"Stoke’s defensive record wasn’t great last season, that wasn’t down to Ash Phillips of course it wasn’t, but what we’ve got at the moment is we’ve got a player with huge potential that could be a real asset for Mark Robins and Stoke City next season," Goodman continued.

"So, hopefully he’ll manage to have a season where he’s part of a team that isn’t struggling at the wrong end of the Championship."

The road ahead for Ash Phillips and Stoke City

Unlike last season, when the Potters flirted with relegation before staying up on the final day against Derby County, expectations are already higher for 25/26.

Robins has already bolstered his squad with the likes of Premier League-experienced left-back Aaron Cresswell and Slovakian international Robert Bozenik from Portuguese outfit FC Boavista - with the latter playing for his country at Euro 2024.

Nixon also reported that several clubs were keen on signing Phillips before Frank had shooed them away - including Sheffield United, who have since signed Tyler Bindon on loan from Nottingham Forest.

Upon Phillips coming back to Staffordshire, Robins spoke of his delight on the situation after a pre-season win to Crewe.

"He was brilliant for us last season," Robins told StokeonTrent Live.

"I spoke with him while we were away in Spain and Jon Walters has been working really hard behind the scenes on that and thankfully he's got it over the line.

"We're over the moon," he added.

For Phillips, a more stable Stoke could provide the platform Goodman hopes for, allowing the Wales U21 international to play in a team who are on the front foot more in games - which is what would be expected at a top-six club like Spurs.