Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Sun 10 May 2026 8:06, UK

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Will Lankshear has been a revelation for Oxford United.

The 20-year-old joined the U’s on loan last summer and played a key role as Matt Bloomfield’s side battled for survival.

That fight ended in relegation to League One, but matters could have been far worse without the loanee.

Lankshear struck 12 times across the season to finish comfortably as the club’s top scorer, with Cameron Brannagan next best on six.

Looking ahead to next season, the youngster must be given a chance by Roberto De Zerbi as Spurs prepare to rebuild over the summer.

Will Lankshear reflects on impressive Oxford loan

Following Oxford’s promotion to the Championship in 2024, they punched above their weight and held their own in the second tier for two years.

In a side battling near the bottom of the table, the Tottenham loanee became a talismanic figure throughout his spell.

Speaking to BBC, the forward reflected on his spell with the U’s.

“If you welcome me, if you take care of me, I will always want to give back,” said the youngster.

“There was nothing else in my mind other than Oxford and helping that club stay up.”

“I know people talk about loanees and just being a loanee, but I didn’t feel like that. I felt like a signing, I felt like I was there. I made such good relationships with all the contracted players, the physios and everyone at the club.”

At such a young age, Lankshear clearly has a strong head on his shoulders, and De Zerbi simply must be looking at a pathway to the first team heading into next term.

Tottenham have to give Will Lankshear a chance

Lankshear is one of several youngsters returning to Hotspur Way this summer after successful loan spells.

Alongside his productive stint at Oxford, Mikey Moore and Luka Vuskovic have also impressed at Rangers and Hamburg, respectively, with all three becoming fan favourites among the clubs’ supporters.

Alongside his goalscoring impact at Oxford, he clearly took to the club itself, while his reputation among the fans speaks for itself.

It has been a dismal season for the Lilywhites, who are stuck in the thick of a tense relegation battle.

If the worst happens and Spurs go down, it would be a no-brainer for Lankshear to lead the line next term.

And if De Zerbi keeps the club up, his integration into the first team should still be a priority – not as a regular starter necessarily, but as a bench option and an occasional starter.

Should safety be secured, Tottenham will need a full rebuild, and Lankshear is part of the young core ready to step up as that process begins.

And based on his comments, he is the exact type of person that Spurs need, as they build a squad with the character to push back up the Premier League standings.