Will Lankshear has made a spectacular start to his Middlesbrough adventure, prompting many to wonder whether Tottenham have just sold the next Harry Kane. The Boro paid a fee that could eventually rise to £20 million for the 21‑year‑old striker, and they have already been repaid in kind. On his debut in the Carabao Cup against Wrexham, Lankshear headed home a thunderous volley to secure a win, and a few weeks later he netted a brace in Middlesbrough’s opening Championship fixture against Lincoln, turning a sluggish start into a triumphant one. Striker coach Scott Chickelday, who has worked one‑on‑one with Lankshear for the past two seasons, is hardly surprised by the youngster’s early impact.
Although Chickelday also trains elite Premier League forwards, he rates Lankshear as the best finisher among them. “He has every type of finish in his arsenal,” the coach told Sky Sports. “He can flick the ball around the post, slot in tap‑ins, rise for headers, and volley from distance.
He’s an all‑round No 9, and there aren’t many like him at the moment. His finishing is simply extraordinary. I joke that he’s the closest thing I’ve seen to Harry Kane, and people laugh, but it’s true.” Comparing a 21‑year‑old prospect to a player who holds the record for England goals, has won the European Golden Shoe and consistently tops the Premier League scoring charts is a bold statement. Yet several observers see clear parallels in their career paths, playing styles and mentalities.
Like Kane, Lankshear’s loan spells away from Tottenham have been a mixed bag. A stint at West Brom ended without a goal, but his time at Oxford United, although coinciding with the club’s relegation from the Championship, proved crucial for his personal development.
Matt Bloomfield, who took over as Oxford United’s head coach in January when the team were perched just above the bottom of the table, praised Lankshear’s work ethic. “Will arrived at Oxford after a few loan moves that hadn’t clicked,” Bloomfield explained to Sky Sports.
“He was given the responsibility of leading the line for a side fighting for survival, which demanded a different set of qualities. He worked incredibly hard, left everything on the pitch, and that experience helped him mature.” Bloomfield added that, with limited senior experience, Lankshear needed guidance on positioning, hold‑up play and becoming a nuisance for opponents when the ball was cleared. In his final season with Oxford, Lankshear managed 11 Championship goals – a respectable return for a player in a relegated side. “Scoring that many in a struggling team is impressive,” Chickelday noted.
“It’s tough when you’re constantly under pressure.” At Middlesbrough, the environment is markedly different. Bloomfield believes the Boro’s possession‑based style will create far more scoring opportunities for the young striker.
“Middlesbrough dominate the ball, which suits Will perfectly. He is born to find the net, he is obsessed with it, and all he wants is to train and score.” The comparisons to Kane go beyond statistics; they extend to mindset. Both players exhibit a laser‑like focus on honing their craft. “He’s a pleasant lad but he has an edge,” Bloomfield said.
“He wants to succeed, and the best players are always single‑minded and driven.” Chickelday echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that natural talent must be backed by relentless practice. “Harry Kane didn’t become a goal‑machine just by instinct. These guys are born scorers, but they also work incredibly hard on their technique.” Lankspear’s dedication is evident in his training habits. After official sessions, he would linger on the pitch, continuing to finish drills long after his teammates had left.
“We had to pull him back into the building because he’d exhausted his legs before the next game,” Bloomfield recalled. This extra work has become routine. Lankshear arrives 40 minutes before his one‑on‑one sessions with Chickelday, completes a thorough warm‑up, spends an hour on focused finishing work, and then adds another 25‑30 minutes of running afterward.
“That shows his mentality,” Chickelday observed. He often trains alongside his older brother Alex, who recently scored for Gateshead. Their sessions focus on repetitive match‑scenario drills: headers, volleys, cut‑back finishes and a variety of shooting techniques.
Chickelday highlighted a particular goal Lankshear scored for Oxford against Sheffield Wednesday – a classic Kane‑style strike where he cut in from the left, curled the ball into the top corner, and demonstrated his ability to finish with either foot. This ambidexterity makes him unpredictable and difficult for defenders to read.
Statistically, Lankshear’s efficiency is striking. Among the 72 Championship players who recorded at least 50 shots last season, he ranked third for expected goals per shot.
Even at Oxford, his high‑quality chances reflected his diligent preparation. He also possesses a keen eye for set‑pieces; Chickelday believes he could become a proficient free‑kick taker with further refinement. Bloomfield summed up the excitement surrounding Lankshear: “He has the natural instinct, but you can see the countless hours he puts in. That combination of talent and work ethic is why we think he can reach the very top.” The coach is confident that, if development continues, Lankshear could soon be worth £100 million and might one day replace Kane as England’s premier striker.
“He wants to be the No 1 striker in England and eventually the world,” Chickelday said. “In two years’ time, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is the player Tottenham sell to fill Kane’s shoes.” For now, the immediate goal is to help Middlesbrough secure promotion to the Premier League. Those who have watched Lankshear up close are convinced that his trajectory points straight toward that destination.
“I have absolutely no doubt about it,” Bloomfield affirmed. “Will is destined for the very top.”