Tottenham Hotspur suffered their first defeat of their 2024/25 Europa League campaign as Turkish giants Galatasaray S.K. beat the North Londoners on a 3-2 margin at RAMS Park yesterday evening. While this was the first blitz in Ange Postecoglou’s European campaign for the ongoing season, there were many positives, particularly a Hotspur Way academy graduate in Will Lankshear.

The 19-year-old striker started upfront for the Lilywhites, and he grabbed his first senior goal on the night before hell broke out for the visitors as their goalscorers were red carded and Cimbom Aslan’s took all the points for the UEL league table. 

Lankshear lights up Istanbul, Spurs fall short

Despite the red card and Spurs defeat, ex-Spurs scout Bryan King was left impressed with the teenager’s performance despite his “naive” sending-off. In an exclusive interview with Tottenham News, he went on to speak about how the player worked hard and showed his physical presence upfront.

He said:

“Lankshear’s goal was a good one. To be fair, I thought he did well. He was physical and he got stuck in, although perhaps he was a bit too physical at times. I’d say that he was unlucky to be sent off.

“However, both of his challenges were bookable offences. With the first one, when you raise your arm you’re always going to get booked for that. Strikers cannot lead with their arms, and he did, which was a bit naive.

“As for the second booking, his tackle was late. However, other than that I thought he did well. He worked hard and got his first goal for the club.”

Getting the first goal is always a special moment for the player as well as supporters, particularly more so when it comes from someone who has been grinding out at the academy, and netting that first goal would have been a special feeling for Lankshear. However, a couple of poor challenges showed his inexperience, and he will more so learn from those going ahead. 

For Tottenham, having a striker with his ability out of the academy is a sign of positive things to come, especially if Richarlison continues to serve the sidelines. In Will, Tottenham have a young striker who is hungry and has the physique to make a real impact at the highest level.

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What did you make of Will Lankshear’s performance against Galatasaray? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.