adminFormer Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent has criticised his former club for allowing Will Lankshear to leave for Middlesbrough, suggesting the decision reflected what he described as “big club snobbery.”
Lankshear completed a summer move to Middlesbrough for an initial fee of £10 million, and the Championship side appear to have made an excellent investment. The 21-year-old forward has enjoyed an outstanding start to life at the Riverside Stadium, currently leading the Championship scoring charts with eight goals.
His latest contribution came during Middlesbrough’s entertaining 3-2 victory over Stoke City on Tuesday, further strengthening his reputation as one of the division’s most exciting attacking talents.
Lankshear’s impressive form has inevitably raised questions about Tottenham’s decision to sell him, particularly considering the difficulties the north London club experienced in front of goal at the beginning of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
Spurs needed five matches to register their first league goal of the season, leaving some supporters wondering whether the club made a mistake by allowing a promising young striker to leave.
Bent believes Tottenham’s financial power may have influenced their thinking. The club invested more than £300 million in new signings during the summer transfer window, potentially creating the impression that they could recruit players of a higher standard.
Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, Bent suggested that Tottenham’s status as a wealthy Premier League club might have contributed to their decision.
“I just think sometimes there’s a big club snobbery,” Bent explained. “They’re Spurs, they’ve got all the money in the world.”
Darren Bent Predicts a Premier League Future for Will Lankshear
Although Tottenham might eventually regret selling Lankshear, Bent acknowledged that his development could have followed a different path had he remained in north London.
The former England international nevertheless believes the young forward possesses the qualities required to establish himself in the Premier League.
Bent is convinced that Lankshear will eventually reach the top flight, whether Middlesbrough secure promotion or another club decides to bring him into its squad.
“I’ve got no doubt whatsoever, if Middlesbrough get promoted or whoever goes up or there’s a team there, he’ll be playing in the Premier League,” Bent said.
“He is more than good enough.”
Those comments underline the growing confidence surrounding Lankshear, whose goalscoring performances have made him an increasingly important player for Middlesbrough.
If he maintains his current level, the striker could attract attention from Premier League clubs looking for a young forward capable of delivering goals and providing a physical presence in attack.
Bent Explains What Makes Lankshear Special
Bent also highlighted the qualities that have convinced him Lankshear has the potential to succeed at the highest level.
According to the former Tottenham forward, the youngster combines physical strength with intelligent movement, composure in front of goal and an ability to score in different situations.
“He’s a big, physical powerhouse. Good movement, good finisher, composed,” Bent explained.
“What I like about him is he scores all types of goals. He’s always there or thereabouts.”
Bent also pointed to the striker’s natural instincts inside the penalty area, explaining that some forwards can score regularly without possessing the awareness required to anticipate where the ball will land.
Lankshear, in contrast, appears to have developed an excellent understanding of positioning, allowing him to take advantage of opportunities and consistently threaten opposition defences.
These attributes could prove crucial as he continues to develop his game and prepares for the possibility of competing in the Premier League.
England Under-21 Debut Provides Another Boost
Lankshear’s excellent performances for Middlesbrough have already earned him recognition at international level, with the forward receiving his England Under-21 debut during the recent international break.
He made an immediate impression after coming off the bench to score against Kazakhstan, providing another indication of his growing confidence and goalscoring ability.
His impressive cameo earned him a starting place in England’s subsequent encounter with Slovakia, although the match ended in a goalless draw.
The Middlesbrough striker then featured for another 21 minutes as a substitute against Ireland, gaining further valuable experience with the national team.
His progress represents a significant achievement for a player who has quickly established himself as a key attacking figure at his new club.
For Tottenham, meanwhile, Lankshear’s continued rise could become an uncomfortable reminder of a transfer decision that is already attracting criticism.
With eight Championship goals and an encouraging start to his international career, the 21-year-old has given Middlesbrough plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
Whether Tottenham eventually regret allowing him to leave remains to be seen, but Bent is clearly convinced that Lankshear has the ability to become a Premier League striker in the near future.
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