"My dream is to play in the Premier League," Will Lankshear said after settling quickly at Middlesbrough. He has three goals in his first two games, including a stoppage-time winner against Lincoln, and the early return from a £10m move from Tottenham is exactly the sort of start a new signing wants.
Lankshear's instant impact
The most striking part is how quickly he has become part of the conversation at Middlesbrough. In his first outing he scored once in 80 minutes and earned a 7.5 rating, then followed that with the stoppage-time winner against Lincoln. A striker arriving for £10m is expected to add goals, but three in two games is a strong opening whatever the competition.
The ambition behind the goals
Lankshear did not hide what he wants next. Speaking to BBC, he said: "This is the most competitive league in the world. You have what, like 15, 16 teams trying to go for it, so you know it's going to be tough. You have to have that drive. You have to be the best. You have to come into work every single day and give it your absolute all and you want to compete with the best."
He also said: "But it's important not to listen to the noise and just keep on track. Keep focusing, keep coming in every single day and working hard. If you do that, you'll get rewarded."
That sounds right for a player who is already backing up the words. Lankshear also said the Middlesbrough fans were "absolutely amazing" and that "I've found my people", which fits the mood around a forward who has clicked immediately.
He scored 12 goals on loan at Oxford last season, so the finishing is not coming from nowhere. The difference now is the stage, the fee and the speed of the start, and Middlesbrough already have a forward who has changed the tone around him before the season has really settled.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
