Tottenham Hotspur are battling to secure their Premier League status, but they can take comfort in the knowledge that they have some resources to aid them in the Championship if the unthinkable does happen.
Roberto De Zerbi has just seven games to save Tottenham from being relegated for the first time in 48 years, with the Lilywhites sitting just one point above the drop zone.
De Zerbi’s task has been made harder by the latest injury developments at Spurs, with the Italian needing to somehow turn around the form of a side that is without a single league win this calendar year.
The new Spurs boss has confirmed that he will be in charge next season, no matter what happens, and if disaster does strike over the next month and a half, one player could prove handy in the Championship for the club.
Tottenham youngster Ashley Phillips is nearing 100 Championship appearances
If Spurs do find themselves in the Championship, one defender may be set to play a key role next season in the club’s quest to bounce straight back up.
Ashley Phillips already had experience of regular first-team football in the second tier at Blackburn Rovers ahead of his move to Tottenham in 2023.
The centre-back has subsequently had a brief loan spell at Plymouth Argyle and has spent the last two seasons on loan at Stoke City.
Tottenham have revealed on their official website that Phillips has now made 79 appearances for the Potters, a record number for any loan player in the club’s history.
36 of those appearances have come this season, with the 20-year-old establishing himself as a key member of the backline for Mark Robins’ men.
Spurs reveal that Phillips is now approaching 100 Championship appearances, having notched up 97 so far. The defender’s experience of the second-tier may make him a useful option for the Lilywhites if they find themselves in unfamiliar territory next season.
Spurs have made a Mikey Moore plan in case of relegation
Reports indicate Rangers have already held conversations with Tottenham about keeping Moore at the club next season on the back of the winger’s outstanding performances on loan this term.
However, TEAMtalk have claimed that Spurs want to hang onto Moore next season if they get relegated to the Championship.
The Lilywhites believe that the 18-year-old can be a key player in their promotion push should they go down.