Tottenham’s Will Lankshear Decision Could Haunt Spurs as Harry Kane’s England Future Raises Questions
Tottenham’s decision to part ways with Will Lankshear is already beginning to look questionable, with the young striker enjoying an impressive start to life at Middlesbrough.
The 21-year-old was once viewed as a potential long-term successor to Harry Kane, who scored 280 goals in 435 appearances for Spurs. However, Lankshear made only six senior appearances for Tottenham, scoring just once before leaving the club this summer.
He joined Middlesbrough in a deal worth an initial £10 million, with another £10 million potentially available through add-ons.
Roberto De Zerbi reportedly decided that Lankshear was not the answer to Tottenham’s goalscoring problems, but the striker has quickly made an impact since moving to the Championship.
Lankshear has scored eight goals in 11 appearances for Middlesbrough, including six goals in eight Championship matches. His strong form has now led to suggestions that he could eventually emerge as one of the players capable of succeeding Kane for England.
Kane recently discussed his future and hinted that a move to MLS could be possible, while also joking about the possibility of becoming an NFL kicker. His comments have raised further questions about how long he intends to continue his international career.
The Telegraph recently identified six potential candidates to eventually replace Kane for England, with Lankshear included among them. The report highlighted similarities between their early careers, including disappointing loan spells before establishing themselves.
Lankshear is also set to make his first appearance for England Under-21s, bringing him another step closer to the international stage.
His current numbers make the situation even more interesting for Tottenham. Lankshear is averaging 3.46 shots and 0.66 chances created per game in the Championship, according to FotMob.
Meanwhile, Spurs striker Dominic Solanke has made only two starts in five Premier League appearances and is still searching for his first goal of the season. He is averaging 2.62 shots and 0.52 shots on target per match, while creating 0.52 chances per game.
The difference in their statistics must be viewed in the context of the leagues they are playing in, but Lankshear’s explosive start will inevitably leave Tottenham wondering whether they moved on from the young striker too soon.
If he eventually establishes himself as a regular England international, Tottenham’s decision could become an even bigger talking point.
