Will Lankshear has burst onto the scene at Middlesbrough with a start that has left many pundits re‑evaluating his transfer fee. The club paid a sum that could eventually reach £20 million to secure the 21‑year‑old striker from Tottenham, and the investment appears to be paying dividends almost immediately. In his very first appearance, Lankshear delivered a decisive volley against Wrexham in the Carabao Cup, and he followed that up with a brace that rescued Boro in their opening Championship fixture against Lincoln City.
Scott Chickelday, the striker coach who has been working one‑on‑one with Lankshear for the past two seasons, was quick to point out that the young forward’s early impact was hardly surprising. Chickelday, who also trains elite Premier League forwards, described Lankshear as the best finisher he has ever seen. “He has every type of finish in his arsenal,” Chickelday told Sky Sports.
“He can curl a ball around the post, slot in a tap‑in, head a cross, or unleash a powerful volley. He is a complete No 9, and there are very few players like him at the moment.” The coach went on to make a bold comparison, saying Lankshear is the closest thing he has witnessed to Harry Kane. While that may sound hyperbolic – Kane is England’s all‑time leading scorer and a former European Golden Shoe winner – several observers note striking parallels in their development paths, playing styles, and mental attitudes.
Lankshear’s journey has not been without its hiccups. Like Kane, he experienced mixed fortunes during loan spells away from Tottenham. A brief stint at West Brom did not produce a goal, but a subsequent loan to Oxford United proved more fruitful on a personal level, even though the club ultimately suffered relegation from the Championship.
Matt Bloomfield, who took over as Oxford’s head coach in January when the team was hovering just above the bottom of the table, recalled Lankshear’s impact. “Will was a big step for us,” Bloomfield said. “He had been on loan before and hadn’t quite found his footing, but at Oxford he became the focal point of our attack.
He worked tirelessly, gave everything on the pitch, and that experience helped him mature.” Bloomfield explained that, with limited senior experience behind him, Lankshear needed guidance on positioning, hold‑up play, and how to be a nuisance when the ball was cleared. The coaching staff focused on sharpening his movement off the ball and improving his ability to retain possession under pressure.
Despite Oxford’s struggles, Lankshear managed to score 11 goals in the Championship last season – a respectable return for a teenager in a side fighting relegation. “In a team that got relegated, that is some going,” Chickelday noted, emphasizing how difficult it can be to find the net when a side is constantly on the back foot.
Now at Middlesbrough, Lankshear finds himself in a markedly different environment. Bloomfield believes the Boro’s possession‑based style will suit the striker perfectly, creating more opportunities for him to exploit his natural goal‑scoring instincts. “Middlesbrough dominate the ball, which means Will will get more chances. He is born to score and he lives for training and finding the back of the net,” Bloomfield said.
The comparison to Kane resurfaces when discussing Lankshear’s laser‑focused mentality. Both players exhibit a single‑minded drive to improve and succeed.
“He’s a lovely lad but he has an edge to him,” Bloomfield observed. “All the top players are driven and single‑focused, and Will is no different.” Chickelday echoed this sentiment, highlighting Lankshear’s blend of natural instinct and relentless work ethic. “He has a massive natural instinct, but you can also see the hours he puts in.
It’s the same with Harry Kane – they’re born goal‑scorers, but they also grind every day to hone their craft.” The dedication was evident during Lankshear’s time at Oxford. After regular training sessions, he would stay on the pitch to continue finishing drills. “He would just keep shooting all day. We had to pull him back into the building because we needed his legs for the next game,” Bloomfield recalled.
This extra work has become a habit; Lankshear now regularly attends additional one‑on‑one sessions with Chickelday, arriving 40 minutes early, completing a warm‑up, then spending an hour on finishing drills, followed by another 25‑30 minutes of conditioning. His older brother Alex, who also plays semi‑professionally for Gateshead, often joins these sessions. During those extra workouts, the focus is on repetition and match‑scenario practice: headers, volleys, cut‑back finishes, and a variety of shooting angles.
Chickelday highlighted a memorable goal Lankshear scored for Oxford against Sheffield Wednesday, a classic Kane‑style strike where he cut inside from the left, curled the ball into the top corner, and left the goalkeeper stranded. Lankshear’s versatility adds another layer to his threat.
He is comfortable drifting wide on the left and cutting inside, but he can also operate effectively on his right foot, making him unpredictable for defenders. His ruthlessness in front of goal and his impressive shots‑on‑target ratio have placed him among the elite finishers in the Championship. Among the 72 players who recorded 50 or more shots last season, Lankshear ranked third for expected goals per shot, indicating that his attempts are not only frequent but also high‑quality.
Beyond open‑play scoring, Chickelday believes Lankshear has untapped potential as a free‑kick specialist. “He’s a really good free‑kick taker,” the coach said, noting that sometimes a session will produce a strike that feels special, a moment that signals a player on the cusp of greatness.
Looking ahead, Chickelday is confident that Lankshear’s ambition will drive him to the top. “He wants to be the best striker in England, and eventually the best in the world. In two years’ time, I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes Harry Kane’s replacement.” He added that, if Lankshear continues his development, a £100 million valuation could be just two transfers away.
For now, the focus remains on helping Middlesbrough achieve promotion to the Premier League. Those who have worked closely with Lankshear are certain that his trajectory points upward.
“I have absolutely no doubt about that,” Bloomfield affirmed. “Will is destined for the very top.”