Matthew Chadder

Tue 5 September 2023 12:00, UK

After creating one of the world’s best number nines from within their academy, there are two rising stars who could offer Tottenham the opportunity to repeat the trick once again.

‘He’s one of our own’ were the words echoed around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium throughout Harry Kane’s journey from boy to man, and academy hopeful to club-record goalscorer. When he departed for Bayern Munich, it left a hole in the hearts of many supporters.

Kane was a once-in-a-lifetime talent. It is not often that a player rises from academy ranks to legendary status, especially in the modern game where money is usually spent on quick fixes rather than long-term projects.

However, there are two strikers within the Tottenham Under-21s set-up who have the potential to find their way into Ange Postecoglou’s first-team squad, and if either of them can become even half as successful as Kane, it will certainly be considered a great achievement.

Those two players are Jamie Donley, who has featured as a second striker and attacking midfielder this season, and Will Lankshear, a centre-forward who joined the club from Sheffield United last summer. The pair have been integral to the club’s fantastic start in Premier League Two, where Spurs sit top of the table after four straight victories.

Luckily for the 18-year-old forwards, Postecoglou is a manager who likes to keep a close eye on his young talent and looks to promote from within, and if he has been watching any of their performances this season, it would be hard to deny that they have warranted at least a closer look after their displays.

Donley is Tottenham through and through and has been with the club from youth level, just like Kane, and continues to rise through the ranks. This season, he has been on fire, starting all four Premier League Two games and scoring once while providing four assists. He was dominant at Under-18 level, scoring 26 times and providing 10 assists in 40 appearances, and has so far proven this season that he is ready to make the step up.

He has a very similar style to Kane and many supporters have likened some of his movements to those of the England captain. His range of passing, shooting and penalty techniques are all very similar to the former Spurs man.

Leading the line for the Under-21s, he has been immense so far this season, but not without the help of his teammate Lankshear. Upon his arrival from South Yorkshire last season, the centre-forward scored four times in just five appearances for the Under-18s, in addition to providing two assists.

As a result, he began to feature sporadically for the Under-21s and has this year stepped up to this level full-time. He has so far featured in each of the four matches, coming on as a substitute against Derby and scoring twice, with both goals assisted by Donley.

He then started his first game of the season during the recent win against Blackburn and added another goal to his tally. With the likes of Dane Scarlett, Troy Parrott and Alfie Devine all leaving on loan, there should be plenty of game time for Lankshear this season.

And if he and Donley continue to impress, Postecoglou could be calling the pair into his office sooner rather than later.

In other Tottenham news, read more about the Under-21s’ emphatic victory over Blackburn Rovers.