Ange may have found Spurs’ ideal Van de Ven replacement in 18-year-old “monster”
Tottenham must ensure that the onslaught of injuries and suspensions does not sink the ship.
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur revolution has taken a hammering in the last week, with Chelsea’s chaotic defeat against Chelsea compounded by a late collapse against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Spurs have been fantastic in the Premier League this season and were in early contention for the title, but a string of losses has taken the club out of contention.
Postecoglou’s side will also be forced to fight without influential summer signings Micky van de Ven and James Maddison, who both sustained injuries against the Blues and are expected to be out until after Christmas.
It’s a sickening blow, given Maddison’s three goals and five assists as a playmaker in August, earning him Premier League Player of the Month, and Van de Ven’s growing partnership with Cristian Romero bearing the hallmarks of title-challenging quality.
With Romero still suspended for two games following the game at Molineux, Eric Dier and Ben Davies have taken over in central defense, which does not inspire the same level of confidence.
Last season, as Spurs finished eighth in the English Premier League, the leaky backline was to blame, with Tottenham’s 63 goals conceded trailing only relegated teams and newly promoted sides Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest.
Postecoglou will be desperate to weather the impending injury-induced storm, and in order to do so, the former Celtic manager may be inclined to accelerate Ashley Phillips’ rise to the first-team.
Why did Tottenham bring in Ashley Phillips?
Tottenham completed the signing of England U19 captain Phillips in August after chairman Daniel Levy activated his £2 million release clause at Blackburn Rovers, deepening the defensive ranks following the end of Clement Lenglet’s loan spell – with Davinson Sanchez departing one month later.
Joe Rodon was also granted a loan move to Leeds United following their relegation from the Premier League earlier this year, and despite the £43 million purchase of Van de Ven from Wolfsburg, this has proven to be a wise move.
Phillips provides an extra layer of defensive protection and, having been in the first-team mix, will be aware that a chance to start in the Premier League could come his way.
Ashley Phillips’ professional career thus far
Phillips had an exciting breakthrough season with Blackburn, making 14 senior appearances across all competitions, including eight in the Championship, with his performances turning heads in Tottenham’s transfer department and sparking the summer approach.
Despite his limited playing time, Phillips demonstrated his abilities in the second tier, completing 83% of his passes, winning 50% of his ground duels, and making 2.3 clearances per game, according to Sofascore. These aren’t earth-shattering figures, but they do demonstrate the 18-year-old’s natural ability and confidence in possession.
Phillips has been an unused substitute in the Premier League four times this season, but he has also started in two convincing Premier League 2 victories.
He truly shone in the EFL Trophy, starting twice and catching the eye in the Tottenham U21 backline against League One opposition, completing 84% of his passes, making an impressive 5.5 ball recoveries and 6.0 clearances per game – showcasing his energy – and winning 100% of his ground duels, according to Sofascore.
With Van de Ven on the sidelines for an extended period of time, Phillips could make his senior debut under Postecoglou’s tutelage.
Why Ashley Phillips should be given a chance
Alasdair Gold of Football.london recently revealed that Phillips is “in line” for opportunities to impress in the Lilywhites backline due to the absences of Romero and Van de Ven.
Robust, pacy, and intelligent, Phillips could be the ideal replacement for a defender as athletic as Van de Ven, with ex-Rovers boss Tony Mowbray among those to lavish praise on his developing abilities.
“He’s a 6’3, 6’4 magnificent cut of a guy, fast as lightning, composed with the ball, aggressive,” Mowbray said. I believe this football club has a player on their hands, and we must manage his integration into our team as best we can. I just brought him here to give him some practice.”
These characteristics appear to be ideal for filling in for Van de Ven, and while experience is not on his side, there is clearly quality and potential in abundance.
While Davies was a competent stand-in against Wolves despite the late defeat, Phillips’ skills perfectly mirror Van de Ven’s and could ensure that Tottenham’s equilibrium remains stable in the future.
According to FBref, Van de Ven, 22, ranks among the top 12% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, the top 8% for progressive carries, and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90 over the past year.
Talent scout Jacek Kulig praised the £50k-per-week Dutchman for his “dominant” performances in Germany, and he is certainly living up to the hype so far on English soil.
Van de Ven has played a key role in Tottenham’s successful start to the season, completing 95% of his passes, making 5.4 ball recoveries per game, and winning a whopping 74% of his ground duels, according to Sofascore.
To demonstrate how impressive this is, Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool has completed 92% of his passes, made 4.9 recoveries, and won 73% of his ground duels.
They are difficult boots to lace, but Phillips will relish the opportunity to fill in when needed, perhaps emboldened by the presence of a senior veteran like Dier.
Spurs expert John Wenham believes in the teenager’s talent, waxing lyrical once Spurs’ summer pursuit became known, saying: “I looked into him, he’s a monster.” He appears to have all the assets and physique you’d want in a center-half.”
Postecoglou would prefer to ease Phillips into the starting lineup, but circumstances demand action, and the teenager should be given a chance to shine in the coming weeks.
