“Obviously NOT Solanke, Ange Postecoglou already have his own Havertz in Spurs, absolutely sensational
Tottenham Hotspur are riding a wave of momentum right now. Ange Postecoglou’s team has been in top form, securing victory after victory across multiple competitions. Despite a minor setback against Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this month, they’ve won seven out of their last eight matches and have looked unstoppable in attack, scoring freely with an impressive array of offensive options.
While Tottenham’s current squad has shown formidable firepower, there’s room to deepen their bench with a more physically imposing forward who could come off the bench to change the game’s dynamics. Arsenal’s Kai Havertz serves as a useful comparison for the type of player Spurs could benefit from—someone with a strong presence who can excel in aerial duels and offer a target man option.
Excitingly for Spurs, if Postecoglou seeks to integrate this type of player into his system, he may not need to look beyond the club’s emerging talent pool. Beyond senior squad members like Dominic Solanke, the Spurs academy has some promising youngsters who could provide that physical edge in the future.
Spurs’ Rising Stars: Lucá Williams-Barnett
While the spotlight often shines on star academy players like Mikey Moore, another name worth noting is 16-year-old midfielder Lucá Williams-Barnett. This Luton-born prospect was promoted to the under-18 squad in July, having delivered a string of impressive performances in the previous season. His transition to the under-18s has been seamless, and he has continued to impress with his outstanding form.
Williams-Barnett’s stats are remarkable; in just seven games this season, he’s scored eight goals and provided two assists, boasting an astonishing 1.42 goal involvements per game. For a player his age, this level of productivity is exceptional, demonstrating his skill, vision, and finishing ability. Although it may be early to expect him in the first team this season, Williams-Barnett’s growth trajectory indicates that he could be knocking on the door for senior minutes as early as next season, following in the footsteps of players like Moore who have risen through the ranks quickly.
The Havertz Comparison: Why Will Lankshear Fits the Bill
While Williams-Barnett is undoubtedly a talent, another young player who may soon be a name on Spurs fans’ lips is 19-year-old Will Lankshear. Unlike Solanke or other attacking players in the senior squad, Lankshear brings a unique physicality to the forward line that is somewhat reminiscent of Kai Havertz’s role at Arsenal. Standing at 6’2″, Lankshear is just slightly shorter than the 6’4” Havertz but taller than Solanke, giving him an advantage as a target man who can add a different element to Spurs’ offense.
Despite his young age, Lankshear has already shown he can use his size to assert himself on the pitch, as noted by Spurs expert Jon Wenham, who describes him as “an absolute unit for his age.” His physicality and instincts allow him to operate effectively as a forward capable of both linking play and holding up the ball, characteristics that could see him thrive under Postecoglou’s guidance.
Moreover, Lankshear has proven his scoring prowess at the youth level, with 26 goals and three assists in 34 games for the U21 side, which equates to an impressive goal involvement every 1.17 games. This scoring consistency suggests he has the potential to develop into a reliable source of goals for Spurs, much like Havertz has become for Arsenal.
Looking Ahead: Lankshear’s Development Path
Though Lankshear has been compared to Havertz, he possesses a versatile skill set that could allow him to forge his own style. Under Postecoglou’s mentorship, Lankshear has the opportunity to grow into a multi-dimensional forward capable of adapting to various roles depending on the game’s demands.
Fans have every reason to be excited about Lankshear’s progress. The young striker could soon be a valuable asset to the senior squad, particularly if he continues to refine his game and leverage his physical attributes. While the comparisons to Havertz are tempting, Lankshear has the talent to carve out his own identity at Spurs, making him a player to watch in the coming years as Tottenham continues to build for a promising future.