Latest news with #WillLankshear
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gary Rowett hints at formation changes this season
GARY Rowett has suggested that he might start varying up his formation to allow Oxford United to field more than one striker this season. The U's head coach favoured a 4-2-3-1 set-up during the previous campaign, however the recent addition of loan centre forwards Will Lankshear and Nik Prelec now provides Rowett with more options. Lankshear and Prelec join Tom Bradshaw, Mark Harris, Gatlin O'Donkor and Ole Romeny as the likeliest players to lead the United attack this season, and Rowett has hinted that he could switch up formations in the months ahead. READ ALSO: Approval recommendation described as 'massive step forward' for U's He said: 'I think we've got a really competitive frontline right now, which might allow us to occasionally play more strikers in the starting XI than perhaps a No 10 and a number nine. 'We need goals. We spoke about it last season, but at the same time, you've got to have the balance in your team. You've still got to have a balance off the ball. You've still got to be balanced in terms of creating chances for whoever plays in those forward areas. 'Goals were certainly something we wanted to take a little bit of a gamble on by strengthening that line further, and I think they're two very good additions.'
BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Oxford sign Spurs striker Lankshear on loan
Oxford United have signed Tottenham Hotspur striker Will Lankshear on a season-long 20-year-old has made six senior appearances for Spurs, scoring his only goal so far in a 3-2 Europa League defeat to Galatasaray last season, in which he was later shown a red spent the second half of last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, making 11 appearances without scoring a 2023-24, Lankshear was the top scorer in Premier League 2, scoring 18 goals in 19 games for Spurs."This is a really exciting opportunity for me to be joining a great club," Lankshear told the Oxford website, external. "I learned so much last season in the first team at Tottenham and West Brom and I'm ready to now kick on with Oxford United."I love nothing more than scoring goals. I want to do my best to bring as many as I can this season."
New York Times
31-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Will Lankshear: ‘I was at Arsenal for nine years but would like nothing more than to score against them'
Will Lankshear spent nearly a decade in Arsenal's academy but now he is determined to become a star for their arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal released Lankshear, who grew up in St Albans which is only three miles from the first-team's training ground, when he was 15. The centre-forward rebuilt his confidence with Sheffield United, scoring 38 goals in 43 appearances for the Under-18s and Under-23s, and lots of clubs expressed an interest in signing him. That included Thomas Frank's old side Brentford, who agreed a deal with Sheffield United but Lankshear decided to join Spurs instead in August 2022. Advertisement His career path mimics his idol, a certain Harry Kane, who switched from Arsenal to Spurs at a young age too. Three years later, Lankshear is relishing his second pre-season tour with Spurs and the opportunity to play in the first north London derby to be held outside of the United Kingdom, which takes place in Hong Kong's 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Stadium on Thursday. 'I was let go by Arsenal and it was a really difficult time for me at that stage of growing up,' Lankshear tells a group of journalists including The Athletic at an event in Hong Kong. 'But it was a blessing because it really matured me. I grew up fast and it was the best thing for me. I was with Arsenal for nine years and they helped me to develop but I would like nothing more than to score against them and win.' Lankshear missed the first six months of his debut season with Spurs after having an operation on his knee but he was exceptional during the 2023-24 campaign. He won the Premier League 2 Player of the Season award after scoring 23 times for the Under-21s, hit an 11-minute hat-trick in a friendly against third-tier side Fleetwood Town and scored on his England Under-19s debut. He signed a new contract until 2029 and impressed former head coach Ange Postecoglou on last year's pre-season tour to Japan and South Korea. Spurs decided to keep the then teenager for the first six months of the 2024-25 season and he made his Premier League debut as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Fulham in December. He scored his first senior goal in a 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray in the Europa League and boldly celebrated directly in front of their fans in Istanbul. It should have been the best moment of his career but he was sent off in the second half for two separate clumsy challenges. He then moved to West Bromwich Albion on loan in January. 'There were lots of positives and some negatives but I learned so much,' the 20-year-old says. 'I have grown as a player and a person. I feel so much better now than I did last year. People would say (my biggest lesson is) the red card but for me it would be broader and getting to terms with the rhythm of men's football. Advertisement 'I had a taste of the Premier League where everything is really intense and everyone is so good. In the Championship, there are more aerial (duels) and it's more physical. That was my biggest lesson. Being able to adapt. Learning, putting it all together and trying to get better at everything.' Lankshear started four times and made 11 appearances in total for West Brom but did not score or provide an assist. Tony Mowbray signed Lankshear but he was sacked in April and replaced by James Morison on an interim basis. West Brom lost five of their last eight games and failed to reach the play-offs. This summer, West Brom appointed Postecoglou's former assistant Ryan Mason as their new manager. Would Lankshear benefit from another loan, or is he ready to fully establish himself in the first-team under the new Tottenham head coach Frank? 'Let's see what this season brings,' he says. 'I feel really fit and strong. I've scored in pre-season (against Reading). Whatever I'm told I am ready to do. 'West Brom was massive for my development. Even though the goals didn't come, I had some really good games. I learned loads. The managers what they would like, different systems. I loved it. They treated me really well and I enjoyed it.' Dane Scarlett was left out of Tottenham's squad for their pre-season tour to Hong Kong and South Korea so he could explore a potential loan move. Dominic Solanke has travelled to East Asia but is recovering from a minor ankle injury which means Lankshear and Richarlison are the only fully-fit strikers. He is benefitting from working with the first-team on a regular basis. 'They are top-class players who have been here and done it for a long time,' Lankshear says. 'I watch them in games and think, 'what can I add to my game? How can I close that gap?' 'I look at Dom and his running, the goals he scores and how he gets in the right areas. Richy's movement in the box is top class. Son (Heung-min) puts his arm around your shoulders if you need it. He really does help me and the other young lads with his experience. When he says something you listen.' Advertisement Apart from Kane, Lankshear has been heavily influenced by another former Spurs and England striker. During his time in Tottenham's academy, he worked closely with Jermain Defoe who scored 156 goals in 480 top-flight appearances. Defoe spent two years working across the different age-groups before he left last summer. 'He is one of the most underrated forwards the Premier League has ever had,' Lankshear says. 'He was so sharp and taught me so many things. The quick finishing and (shooting with) no back-lift. He was amazing for me and he is a good guy as well. He really took care of the young lads and gave good advice. I love him.' During Tottenham's open training session at the Kai Tak stadium on Tuesday before the north London derby, Lankshear broke away from the main group along with Yang Min-hyeok. They worked together on a shooting and crossing drill with individual development (IDP) coach Cameron Campbell. It is a role which was created this summer at the request of Frank and sporting director Johan Lange. They both held a similar position at the beginning of their careers when they worked in academies at Danish clubs. As part of the drill, Lankshear would pass the ball to Yang, who he describes as an 'exciting prospect,' while being pressured by Campbell and then spin into the box to attack a cross. 'I don't score enough headers,' he says. 'I find myself getting in the right positions but it's tough getting the right contact and timing. It's so important to win your headers from goal kicks, from throw-ins and little flick-ons too. 'It's about being ready and getting that opportunity. I got it against Reading. You score and then everything can change. If not, you just keep going. That's what I'm doing with Cameron. Getting better each day which is the main thing at this age.' Lankshear was speaking at a session organised by family literacy charity Bring Me a Book Hong Kong to inspire young people to read as part of Tottenham Hotspur's traditional support for local charitable organisations on overseas tours. ()
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
West Brom bring in Spurs striker Lankshear on loan
West Bromwich Albion have signed Tottenham Hotspur striker Will Lankshear on loan until the end of the 19-year-old has played six times for Spurs' first team, scoring his first goal in the 3-2 Europa League win over Galatasaray in November. It will be the England youth international's first spell away from the Premier League side."I am delighted to join this great club. I'm looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and I can't wait to play in front of all the fans," Lankshear told the club website, external."This is a fantastic opportunity for me to compete for game time and, hopefully, score goals that can help the club push on to get promoted during my time here."Tony Mowbray is a manager who everyone says only good things about and I'm keen to learn as much from him as I can over the next few months."West Brom sporting director Andrew Nestor added: "We have felt since the summer that we would need to prioritise the addition of another striker in this window."We are pleased now to have brought in Will, who we have been watching for some time and has been among our top targets for reinforcement in this area."
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gossip: Boro eye Spurs striker
Tottenham will allow 19-year-old forward Will Lankshear to leave on loan before Monday's transfer deadline, with Burnley, Middlesbrough, West Brom, Cardiff and Luton keen on the England Under-20 international. ( Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column.
