There's nothing more powerful a motivator for a footballer than being let go by a club as a child, and in that young Tottenham striker Will Lankshear shares a bond with Spurs' record goalscorer Harry Kane.
Like Kane, Lankshear kicked off his career within Arsenal's academy, alongside his older brother Alex, but the Gunners made the decision not to offer the forward a scholarship contract. That meant that before his 16th birthday Lankshear was having to face up to the fact that his Premier League dream was starting to fade already.
Fortunately, Sheffield United got wind that Arsenal were about to make their decision so offered the teenager a trial and, thanks to that burning desire to prove everyone wrong, Lankshear quickly impressed with his eye for goal and his work rate. He hit a hat-trick on his debut and never looked back, plundering goals left, right and centre for the Blades at youth level.
It wasn't long before Premier League clubs came sniffing around again with both Tottenham and Brentford leading the way. United were struggling financially and just a year on, selling on a youngster who hadn't even made the first team yet was a quick way to bring in some funds.
Thomas Frank's Bees had a bid accepted for Lankshear but it was Spurs who managed to get the deal over the line for a fee that could eventually rise to £2.5million. The north London club's previous big teenage transfer was Dele Alli seven years before.
A move to Tottenham was somewhat fitting with Lankshear's backstory because his family are split straight down the middle in terms of Spurs and Arsenal fans.
The parallels to Kane's early years are there and the England captain would go on to record 14 goal involvements in 21 match against Arsenal alone, fuelled by that motivation to prove the club who released him wrong.
Lankshear is no different and if the 20-year-old gets a chance to come on against the Gunners in Thursday's pre-season friendly in Hong Kong, the first north London derby to be played abroad, then he only wants one outcome.
"I really would like to score. I want to beat them. I was let go and it was a really difficult time for me at that stage of growing up," he admitted before adding: "But it was a blessing because it really matured me. I grew up fast. I think it was the best thing for me, but I would say that I was there for nine years and they did help me develop into the player I am now. But I would like nothing more than to score against them and beat them."
It's not an honesty borne out of hatred, it's one carved out of pain. Kane was always very clear about being extra-motivated to prove Arsenal wrong whenever he played them. For Lankshear it is no different and he is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Kane and other Spurs strikers of the past like Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe, who worked with him as an under-18s coach for a spell.
"I love Harry Kane and the way he plays. He scores so many goals and to do that at the highest level is pretty unreal. Defoe, I worked with him in the academy and I love him. He is one of the most under-rated forwards the Premier League has ever had. So sharp," said Lankshear.
"He taught me so many things. The quick finishing, no back-lift. He was amazing for me and he is a good guy as well. He really took care of the young lads. Gave good advice. I really like him. Robbie Keane and Berbatov were fantastic forwards.
"I try to get things from all of them but also implement myself. I want to be my own player. I think that’s important for young players. We want to be ourselves. Who knows, if you can implement the characteristics from all the other forwards you might be a good one yourself."
Lankshear was speaking at an event organised by family literacy charity Bring Me a Book Hong Kong alongside Brennan Johnson and Ben Davies. His place in the Spurs pecking order was clear as the older players teased him and pushed him forward to go first in a game of finger football with the children. Lankshear responded by immediately scoring his first penalty kick and flashing a grin back at the established first teamers.
That's just what he does. When Lankshear arrived from Sheffield United, he immediately brought what he does best to north London, scoring goals for the U18s before a knee issue needed to be sorted out towards the end of his first half season.
When he returned to the fold, he began to impress the first team coaching staff when called into training and got his chance the following pre-season under Ange Postecoglou, after knocking Alejo Veliz and Dane Scarlett down the pecking order with his performances in sessions at Hotspur Way. He then fully justified the decision to bring him on in friendlies ahead of both by scoring a couple of goals.
That would lead to his Premier League debut against Fulham after he had already opened his Europa League account for the club with a goal at Galatasaray, complete with a defiant celebration in front of the furious home fans, only to then get sent off later in the game to cap a memorable night in Istanbul, for every reason.
Spurs wanted to continue his development and a loan was arranged to West Brom, who led a line of clubs across the Championship and in Europe, including a number who wanted him permanently. Lankshear would make 11 appearances for the Baggies in that half a season and while he did not manage to score, he drew praise from the supporters for many of his battling displays.
"There were lots of positives and some negatives last season but I learned so much. The player I am now to the player I was last year and before all of that, I feel like i have come on so much. It’s all about learning at that age. I’ve learned lots, I have grown as a player and a person. I feel so much better now than I did last year," said the striker.
"[The loan] was massive for me and my development. Even though the goals didn’t come, I had some really good games. I learned loads. The managers, what they would like, different systems. I loved it. They really treated me well. I really enjoyed it."
When asked what he learned from his first season of senior football, apart from perhaps not celebrating in front of angry Galatasaray fans, Lankshear thought for a moment.
"People would say the red card but for me it would be broader. Getting to terms with men’s football. The rhythm. You have to learn to know how to play it," he said. "It’s a completely different game from academy football. The ball is being spun a bit more, it’s more physical, quicker, more intense.
"I had a taste in the Premier League where everything is really intense and everyone is so good. In the Championship, there are more aerial duels and it’s more physical. I had a taste of everything. That was my biggest lesson. Being able to adapt. Being good at football. Learning as a Premier League and a lower league player and putting it all together and trying to get better at everything."
Lankshear is currently in his second pre-season with Spurs and has already scored against Reading with a classic striker's reaction header in the opening match to impress new head coach Thomas Frank.
"It is always surreal. It is a massive honour to be here and to be chosen. I’m still learning and growing so all of this is amazing. It’s an experience of a lifetime," he said. "I worked hard in the off-season. I was really happy to come back in and get the opportunity to play. I scored [against Reading] which I haven’t done really recently so it was nice to get back in the goals."
Lankshear has been impressed with the new man at the helm as well as Frank's coaching staff. It is fitting that three years after Brentford tried to sign him from Sheffield United, the youngster is now playing for the manager he would have worked for there.
"Amazing," he said of the Dane. "I think he is a top class manager. He did so well for Brentford and I think he will be really good for us. Tactically he is amazing and I’m really excited to see what we can do this year and in the years to come."
The training sessions have been full of inspiration for a young player who coaches have always said is hungry to soak up every bit of information possible. If anyone has a drive to succeed, it is Lankshear and he is watching his senior team-mates very closely every day.
"I always watch. I look at Dom [Solanke] and his running, the goals he scores and how he gets in the right areas. Richy is a fox in the box, his movement in the box is top class. Sonny is world class as well," he said.
"I learn from all the experienced players. Son puts his arm around your shoulder if you need it. He really does help me and the other young lads with his experience of all those years in the Premier League. When he says something you listen. He was very helpful for me and the other boys.
"They are top class players who have been here and done it for a long time and played internationally so there is no one better to learn from. I do look at them in games and think what can I do to my game? How can I close that gap and get closer to them."
One new member of staff who Lankshear has been working closely with is individual player development coach Cameron Campbell. The Scot arrived from RB Leipzig in a role that both Frank and Spurs technical director Johan Lange pushed for and Lankshear is already reaping the benefits.
When Tottenham played an 11-vs-11 half-pitch training match in Hong Kong, Frank used Richarlison and Mathys Tel as the strikers which meant Lankshear and Yang Min-hyeok were able to get some quality time with Campbell at the other end of the large pitch and you could see the various drills he was putting them through to improve areas of their game.
"Cameron is top class. For me, it’s such a large group. Sometimes you will have to spend time by yourself if they can’t fit you in. It’s all about improving and I just want to get better," said Lankshear. "So when the chance comes and it will come, football changes all the time. At this given time, it’s about being ready and getting that opportunity.
"I got it against Reading. You score and then everything can change. If not, you just keep going. That’s what I’m doing with Cameron, getting better each day which is the main thing at this age."
So what is the biggest area of his game that Lankshear feels he needs to improve on?
"I probably don’t score enough with my head. I’m a tall lad I know. I don’t score enough headers so that’s also what I’m working on with Cameron," he said. "You probably saw me heading about 20 balls. Hopefully I can get some more headed goals and it will boost everything up."
Lankshear is indeed a big, bustling physical striker so surely throwing himself at the ball is second nature to him? His goal against Reading was a header after Luka Vuskovic's flick-on, so why doesn't he have more headed goals?
"I find myself getting in the right positions but it’s tough. Getting the right contact, timing is so important and that’s the main thing," he admitted. "Heading is actually really hard. It’s not just that. It’s so important to win your headers from goal kicks, from throw-ins, the little flick-ons, if you can do that it will boost your goals and playing style."
Watching Lankshear and Yang working with Campbell on the pitch at the Kai Tak Stadium was an interesting study of two players from completely different countries and cultures, both working towards the same goal of trying to improve enough to become Tottenham stars.
"Yang is similar to me, I think he is actually younger than me. So much learning to do but he is an exciting prospect," said Lankshear. "For me seeing how quick and agile he is. I was super impressed with him when he played for QPR in the Championship. He did ever so well and that can’t go unnoticed. He scored goals, he played well. We played against them and I thought he was very good. He is in the learning period and still has much to learn like me and the others. There is an exciting prospect there."
So what comes next for Lankshear? Does he want to remain under Frank's watchful eye or head out on loan again to get regular football to aid his development?
With the honesty that has run through this entire interview, the young striker grinned and said: "Who knows? Let’s see what this season brings. I sort of do as I’m told but I feel ready. I feel really fit and strong. I’ve scored in pre-season. Whatever I’m told I am ready to do."
He is a young player who is constantly learning, desperate to improve every aspect of his game, putting in the extra hours required to profit on the training pitches and it does all feel very similar to a Spurs youngster from years ago. If Will Lankshear can have even half the career Harry Kane has then he will have achieved plenty, but you get the sense that the young striker will not settle for that.
