Tottenham's decision to sell Will Lankshear is going from bad to worse after Harry Kane latest
Tottenham's decision to sell Will Lankshear looks very likely to come back to haunt them.
The 21-year-old was long considered the natural successor for Harry Kane, who notched 280 goals in 435 matches for Spurs.
Lankshear ultimately made just six senior appearances for the Lilywhites, nowhere near Kane's tally, and only managed one goal.
He was sold in the summer, joining Middlesbrough in an initial £10million deal, with a further £10m in potential add-ons.
Roberto De Zerbi decided that the young striker was not the solution to his side's goalscoring issues, but he has started the season on fire after leaving.
It could go from bad to worse for the Lilywhites after the latest on Kane's future for England.
What is the latest on Harry Kane and Will Lankshear with England?
Lankshear has been backed as a potential successor for the Tottenham legend in the England team.
Kane shared an update on his future plans earlier this week, when he suggested that he could move to the MLS and also become an NFL kicker, perhaps hinting that his international career was on the verge on ending.
The Telegraph picked out six players who Premier League insiders believe could replace Kane, and Lankshear is one of them.
The outlet claims that there are "unmistakable similarities" between the duo.
It also reveals that the 2005-born striker is set to make his first showing for the England Under-21 side, which takes him closer to the ambition of replacing the Three Lions' top goalscorer.
How does Lankshear compare to Tottenham's Dominic Solanke?
Lankshear has started the season in brilliant fashion for the Teesiders, leaving fans wondering what could have been had he been given a proper opportunity.
He has notched eight goals in 11 matches for the Riverside Stadium outfit since making the move.
In the Championship, he has six goals in eight games, and is averaging 3.46 shots per game and 0.66 chances created, per FotMob data.
Dominic Solanke, Spurs' main option up front has managed just two starts in five Premier League appearances, with no goals.
He has averaged 2.62 shots per match, with just 0.52 on target and has also created less chances, with a tally of 0.52.
Lankshear's figures are considerably better than Solanke's, and while the division that they are playing in must be taken into account, it offers a sobering reality check for De Zerbi.
If Lankshear goes on to become an England regular in the next few years, it will look even worse.