Will Lankshear has burst onto the scene at Middlesbrough with a start that has left many pundits questioning whether Tottenham have just sold the next Harry Kane. Scott Chickelday, the striker coach who has worked one‑on‑one with the 21‑year‑old for the past two years, told Sky Sports that many people initially doubted the move, but now they are beginning to see it as a bargain. Middlesbrough paid a fee that could rise to £20 million for the young forward, and the investment has already begun to pay off. Lankshear marked his debut in the Carabao Cup with a spectacular volley against Wrexham and then followed that up with a brace in the club’s opening Championship fixture against Lincoln, turning a potential loss into a win.
Chickelday, who also coaches several Premier League strikers, was quick to point out that Lankshear is the best finisher he has ever worked with. “He has every type of finish in his arsenal – the little flicks around the corner, tap‑ins, headers, volleys – the whole package of a modern No 9,” he explained.
“His finishing is extraordinary. People laugh when I say it, but to me he is the closest thing I’ve seen to Harry Kane.” The comparison to Kane is bold, especially considering Kane’s record as England’s all‑time leading scorer and a former European Golden Shoe winner.
Yet the parallels go deeper than just goal numbers. Both players share a similar career trajectory, a relentless work ethic, and a mindset focused on continual improvement. Like Kane, Lankshear’s loan spells away from Tottenham have been a mixed bag. A short stint at West Brom ended without a goal, but his time at Oxford United, despite the club’s relegation from the Championship, proved vital for his development.
Matt Bloomfield, who took over as Oxford’s head coach in January when the team was perched just above the bottom of the table, recalled how Lankshear’s loan became a turning point. “Will had been on loan before and it hadn’t quite worked out, but at Oxford he was given the responsibility of leading the line for a struggling side,” Bloomfield said.
“He worked incredibly hard, gave everything on the pitch, and that experience rounded his game.” The coaching staff focused on his hold‑up play, positioning, and his ability to be a nuisance when the ball was cleared – skills that are essential for a striker in a team that often spends time out of possession. Lankshear finished the previous Championship season with 11 goals, an impressive return for a young forward in a side that ultimately suffered relegation. Chickelday praised that output, noting that scoring that many times in a struggling team demonstrates both talent and mental toughness. Bloomfield believes the move to Middlesbrough will allow Lankshear to flourish even more.
“Middlesbrough dominate possession, they create more chances, and that suits a natural goal‑scorer like Will,” he said. “He is obsessed with scoring, he lives to train and find the back of the net.” The laser‑like focus that both Bloomfield and Chickelday attribute to Lankshear mirrors the attitude that has defined Kane’s career.
“He’s a lovely lad but he has an edge to him,” Chickelday noted. “All top players are single‑minded and driven, and Will is no different.” Bloomfield added that while natural instinct is a huge part of Lankshear’s game, it is the countless hours of practice that truly set him apart.
“Harry Kane isn’t just gifted; he works incredibly hard. The same is true for Will – he’s a born scorer who puts in the work.” Stories from Oxford illustrate this dedication.
After training sessions, Lankshear would stay on the pitch to finish drills for hours, often needing to be dragged back to the changing rooms to preserve his legs for the next day’s match. This habit has continued at Middlesbrough, where he now trains with a personal one‑on‑one coach in addition to the club’s staff. Chickelday described his routine: “He arrives 40 minutes early, does a warm‑up, spends an hour with me, then adds another 25‑30 minutes of running after the session. That shows his mentality.” Lankshear’s brother Alex, who also scores for Gateshead, sometimes joins these extra sessions, but the focus remains on a wide variety of finishing scenarios – headers, volleys, cut‑back finishes, and long‑range shots.
Chickelday highlighted a particular goal Lankshear scored for Oxford against Sheffield Wednesday, a classic Kane‑style strike where he cut inside from the left and curled the ball into the top corner. “He likes to drift out wide and cut in, and he can finish with either foot, which makes him unpredictable for defenders,” Chickelday explained. Statistically, Lankshear’s efficiency is remarkable.
Among the 72 Championship players who recorded 50 or more shots last season, he ranked third for expected goals per shot. Even at Oxford, he consistently found high‑quality chances because of his relentless work ethic. He also possesses a good free‑kick technique, a skill that could add another dimension to his game. Looking ahead, both coaches are confident that Lankshear’s ambition will drive him to the very top.
“He wants to be the best striker in England and eventually the best in the world,” Chickelday said. “In two years I wouldn’t be surprised if he is seen as Kane’s successor.” Bloomfield echoed this sentiment, predicting that if Lankshear continues to develop, he could soon be valued at £100 million.
While the immediate focus is on helping Middlesbrough secure promotion to the Premier League, those who have worked with him are convinced that the future holds even greater things. In summary, Will Lankshear’s early impact at Middlesbrough – a debut volley, a brace in the league opener, and glowing endorsements from his coaches – suggests that Tottenham may indeed have sold a future star at a bargain price. His blend of natural finishing talent, relentless training habits, and a mindset akin to Harry Kane’s makes him one of the most exciting young strikers in English football today.
As Bloomfield put it, “I have absolutely no doubt about that. Will is going to the very top.”