Man United, Chelsea chase England wonderkid, club manager says “he’s 6ft 4′, he’s fast, mobile and can pass it really well”

There are reports Manchester United and Chelsea are angling to sign Blackburn teen sensation Ashley Phillips.

The two Premier League giants now have a constant presence at Rovers’ Under-21 games to watch the classy 16-year-old centre-half.

The England youth cap is under contract so it will cost a fortune to get him.

Phillips is rated the best discovery at Rovers for years and a genuine top-level prospect at club and country level.

United raided Blackburn for 27-cap England star Phil Jones at the start of the Venky’s reign at Ewood Park a decade ago.

Chelsea are on the hunt for the best youngsters around for their well-oiled assembly line.

Everton and Tottenham have also been watching Phillips, but United and Chelsea head the queue.

Boss Tony Mowbray certainly feels Phillips is going places.

Mowbray told Lancs Live: “He’s 6ft 4′, he’s fast, mobile and can pass it really well. He can use both feet, he’s composed.

“Ash is just a phenomenal young boy; if you were to create a defender in the mould of how you would want one, this kid has got every attribute.

“But he is still just a young boy. He needs time, which is why he’s training with the first-team so that he gets confident and used to the level of intensity.

“He’s an exciting prospect, is all I’d say. But it’s in a position where there is a lot of responsibility.

“It’s not as easy to put a really talented young defender in as opposed to a talented young striker where it doesn’t matter if he loses the ball every now and then.

“As a defender, you’re judged on keeping the ball out of the net and winning your individual duels.

“He is just a boy but he’s got some amazing attributes. We’ve got high hopes that he can progress quickly.”

Photo Credit: AshPhillips05_/Twitter