Middlesbrough FC forward Will Lankshear makes exciting Kim Hellberg admission and salutes Oxford United
Will Lankshear has discussed the early stages of his time at Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough forward Will Lankshear has opened up on the learning he has already done under his new boss Kim Hellberg.
The 21-year-old only arrived at the Riverside on July 22, making a move from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal that could eventually be worth up to £20m.
He was a marquee signing for the Championship promotion hopefuls, who were impressed by his exploits on loan at Oxford United last season.
Hellberg is a coach renowned for his impressive footballing brain and while Lankshear has not been working under him for long, lessons have already been learnt.
Will Lankshear’s learning experience under Kim Hellberg
Lankshear told BBC Radio Tees: “I said in another interview, I've learnt as much as I have my whole life in one week under Kim.
“It's really, really good. [I’m] really, really excited. We've played some really, really nice football and that's all on the manager.
“It's such a brilliant club, such a massive club. I'm really, really proud to be a part of this and really excited for the season. It's a nice place to live and I'm really happy to be here.”
Development at Oxford United
Lankshear cut his teeth in Arsenal’s academy before venturning north for a spell in Sheffield United’s youth system. He was prolific for the Blades at under-18 level, prompting Spurs to take him back to the capital in 2022.
He registered 11 goals in an Oxford side that fell out of the Championship last term and has paid tribute to the U’s for their role in his development.
The England youth international said: “Oxford was a massive part of my development. I learnt bits of the game which I needed to learn.
“I'm so grateful for them and all the managers, all the staff that worked with me there. I'm so grateful for them and appreciative of them. It was massive, although it wasn't the outcome that we all wanted. For me, personally, as a development phase in my career, it was huge.”
Competition for places - and goalscoring ambition
Lankshear has been added to Middlesbrough’s pool of forwards alongside Kyle Joseph, who has been signed from Hull City.
The pair could end up doing battle for minutes, but Lankshear is relishing the opportunity to link up with the former Tiger.
He said: “I think competition is everything. You need a big squad if you want to achieve the things that we want to achieve.
“Kyle Joseph is a great forward. He can play across the frontline - we can play together as well. I'm really excited to work with him. If it is one of us, I'll be supporting. If not, I want to be giving my absolute all and scoring goals myself. I'm sure it'll work together.”
Many will fancy Lankshear to be among the Championship’s top scorers during the upcoming campaign, yet he has stopped short of setting public targets.
He said: “I think it's dangerous to say a number now. I'm going to come and I'm going to give it my absolute all every single game.
“I'm going to try and score like I always do and see where it takes me. I'm confident enough in my ability that I will score goals.”