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Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg stated that he has too many other matters to consider rather than pondering whether Will Lankshear might earn a surprise England call-up. Lankshear netted twice in a 3-0 victory against Charlton Athletic, bringing his total for Middlesbrough to 15 goals in 16 matches across all competitions while solidifying the team’s position at the top of the Championship table.
Goalscoring Form and National Team Speculation
The 21-year-old forward has accumulated 13 strikes in as many Championship appearances following his transfer from Tottenham during the summer. Middlesbrough’s strong form and Lankshear’s scoring achievements have drawn wider recognition. Last month, England head coach Thomas Tuchel remarked that he would never rule out selecting players from outside the top flight, raising the possibility that Lankshear could be named in the squad for upcoming Nations League fixtures against Spain and Croatia. When asked if he expected Lankshear to be considered by Tuchel, Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees that he had no idea, noting that he had numerous responsibilities regarding his own squad’s ins and outs and preferred to let others worry about international selection.
Unprecedented Scoring Numbers
Lankshear has found the net in every appearance at the Riverside except one, registering two goals across four separate matches. Following the September international break, he maintained exceptional form with seven goals in five fixtures, including four across his recent wins over Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic. His goal tally surpasses the leading English scorers in the Premier League, such as Chelsea attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers with five and Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin with four. Lankshear has even scored more goals this campaign than England captain and Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane, who has recorded 12 goals in 14 games for Bayern Munich and the national team.
Development Under Hellberg
The Middlesbrough forward featured for the England Under-21 team last month, and Hellberg believes the player has already progressed significantly since arriving at Teesside during the summer. Hellberg praised the striker’s daily commitment and visible improvements throughout the season, highlighting his penalty-box instincts and the defensive contributions added through team training. Lankshear will look to continue his scoring run as Middlesbrough maintains its place at the summit of the Championship.
