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Chelsea and Tottenham begin the season with new optimism, refreshed squads and without the potential distraction of midweek European football.

For Chelsea, it's a new manager, the British transfer record broken and a change of course with experienced players added to the youngest squad in the Premier League last season.

For Spurs, there's a new way of playing without the spectre of relegation, while Roberto De Zerbi has also benefited from a loosening of the budget.

Neither side will compete in Europe because of poor domestic campaigns last season and that means both may expect an uplift in their points tally and placing in the Premier League table.

Firstly, let's set the parameters. Sky Sports has gone back to 2008 to look at when 'big six' clubs have been playing in a UEFA competition but did not the following season.

We have then compared league points tally and finishing position across those consecutive campaigns. It's a small sample but it may provide historical context ahead of the new season.

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Perhaps the most significant example of this came for Chelsea. A turbulent season in 2015/16 saw Jose Mourinho depart to be replaced by Guus Hiddink until the end of the season.

They finished 10th in the Premier League table and failed to qualify for any European competition.

The following year, Antonio Conte added 43 points to the previous campaign tally as Chelsea won the league with 93 points, seven ahead of Spurs.

The similarities are clear. A turbulent season in 2025/26 saw Enzo Maresca depart to be replaced by Liam Rosenior before Calum McFarlane took over for the end of the season. They finished 10th.

Could Xabi Alonso replicate Conte's resurgence?

Points and placing set to improve

So how many extra Premier League points can be expected when not playing in Europe?

Since 2008/09, a 'big six' side has gone from a season in Europe to a season without Europe 11 times and on 10 occasions the team has delivered an improved points tally and league placing, a 91 per cent success rate.

Liverpool were the only side that failed to improve their points tally and league position, dropping from 58 points and sixth to 52 points and eighth in 2011/12.

Chelsea and Spurs have recent history

As well as under Conte, Chelsea have also been in this position under the current ownership structure when Mauricio Pochettino's side improved by 19 points to finish sixth in 2023/24. One place ahead of them were rivals Spurs under Ange Postecoglou.

In 2022/23, the season that Conte left, Spurs reached the round of 16 in the Champions League but Premier League form suffered with an eighth-placed finish on 60 points.

The following year, without any European competition, they improved to a fifth-place finish on 66 points.

Looking across the 11 sequences that fit our parameters, the average improvement in the non-European season was 16 points. Teams climbed, on average, nearly five places in the table with seven of the 11 following seasons ending in a top-four finish.

The lack of European football can only be one factor in the uptick in these performance levels but it's certainly worthy of note.

In general, you would expect natural improvement for these clubs anyway after an uncharacteristically poor domestic season. Managerial changes and significant spending on players are also contributing factors to better outcomes.

But this season, Chelsea and Spurs can expect fewer competitive games, meaning there is less need for rotation. There will be more complete training weeks for Alonso and De Zerbi and fewer quick turnarounds between midweek and weekend matches.

Chelsea title charge?

So does all this put Chelsea in the title hunt this season?

Chelsea's 'true' level is difficult to pinpoint but one way of looking at them is in the first half of last season under Enzo Maresca. They had 30 points from 19 games when the Italian moved on and towards the end of his time in charge were not running hot, registering just one win in his final seven games.

Maresca's side were tracking towards a 60-point campaign. That may have been good enough to qualify for the Champions League. This season, Alonso could feel the extra boost on top from not being in European competition.

It would be reductive to place any improvement this season solely on playing fewer games. If there is a title challenge from Chelsea, the explanation for it will include Alonso's coaching, the signing of experienced players to help the squad, the impact of Morgan Rogers or an elevation in performance from players like Cole Palmer.

While for Spurs it could be De Zerbi's system, or James Maddison's return to fitness or a major impact from the new defenders and midfielders signed.

Manchester United only played 40 games last season. That was seen as a contributing factor to them dramatically improving their final position and ending in the Champions League places.

If history is any guide, Chelsea and Spurs may find there is an upside to missing out on Europe after all.

Tottenham are in talks with Manchester City over a potential double deal for Savinho and Omar Marmoush.

Sky Sports News reported on Wednesday that Spurs want to sign Savinho, Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo and a centre-forward before the deadline, with Marmoush also one of their options.

Talks between City and Spurs are understood to be progressing, but no agreement has been reached so far, while Savinho is ready to join Tottenham.

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City have targets in mind for any player that leaves and will aim to replace them with less than two weeks to go in the window.

Spurs are also waiting for Liverpool to sign Bradley Barcola and, potentially, his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Ibrahim Mbaye before they bid for Gakpo on top of Savinho.

If they cannot get Gakpo, Spurs are believed to be ready to pursue other targets, with interest in Pedro Neto at Chelsea.

There has been speculation that Gakpo could also be deployed as a No 9 under Roberto De Zerbi; however, while he would be considered for the role if he joins, he is not their primary option.

Spurs want to sign a new out-and-out goalscoring centre-forward and someone who can also link up the entire forward line.

In theory, that means Spurs could make up to nine first-team signings this summer, despite having already spent more than £200m.

Tottenham have spent more than £200m on six first-team players already this summer. They spent £185m on two midfielders, Sandro Tonali and Matheus Fernandes, from Newcastle and West Ham respectively.

Jan Paul van Hecke, meanwhile, joined from Brighton for £52m to replace Cristian Romero. Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka all arrived on free transfers.

'City will want to replace Savinho and Marmoush'

Sky Sports News' Ben Ransom:

"Both players (Savinho and Marmoush) are essentially surplus to requirements at Manchester City. It's been pretty apparent through the summer. Enzo Maresca has said that in the case of both players, they are very much entitled to stay and fight for their first-team place.

"But equally, he understands, a bit like James Trafford, when a player wants to play first-team football, and they're not guaranteed the starting shirt, then the club, if they receive an offer that's acceptable, will not stand in their way. That applies to both players.

"City would need to replace these players. They would definitely, I'd say, have to replace one. I think they would like to and would aim to replace two.

"But the transfer window is closing in less than a fortnight. These are big positions to fill so late in the window."

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Tottenham hope to sign as many as three new forwards before the transfer deadline.

Spurs' ideal end to the window is to buy Savinho from Manchester City, Cody Gakpo from Liverpool and a new centre-forward.

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Savinho is ready to join Tottenham but City want to sign a replacement and the departures of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders in the last week have dominated proceedings in Manchester.

Spurs are also waiting for Liverpool to sign Bradley Barcola and - potentially - his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Ibrahim Mbaye before they bid for Gakpo on top of Savinho.

If they cannot get Gakpo, Spurs are believed to be ready to pursue other targets with interest in Pedro Neto at Chelsea.

There has been speculation that Gakpo could also be seen as a choice at No 9 for Roberto De Zerbi; however, although it will be considered if he joins, it is not their primary plan.

Spurs want to sign a new out-and-out goalscoring centre-forward and someone who can also link up the entire forward line.

Omar Marmoush at City is one on their list but - again - the Manchester club would need to replace him.

In theory, that means Spurs could make up to nine first-team signings this summer, despite having already spent more than £200m.

Tottenham have spent more than £200m on six first-team players already this summer. They spent £185m on two midfielders, Sandro Tonali and Matheus Fernandes, from Newcastle and West Ham respectively.

Football hasn't stopped this summer, so to make sure you're up to speed with how every Premier League team is shaping up ahead of the new season we've taken a look at their preparations for the new campaign.

From new managers and new signings to pre-season form and emerging talents, here's the lowdown on how the top 20 are looking...

Arsenal: Tzolis could prove a bargain

A lot of Arsenal's transfer talk has surrounded Vinicius Junior and Bradley Barcola this summer, but has Christos Tzolis given Mikel Arteta a reason to think differently?

There was not a great deal of fanfare when the Greek winger moved for £34m from Club Brugge early in the window, but Tzolis has shown quite a lot of threat since arriving.

In six pre-season games, Tzolis has six assists and one goal - including making two in the Community Shield against Man City. He is by no means flashy - he completed none of his dribbles in the win in Cardiff, for example - but he is very effective.

That pre-season form mirrored his form last season - getting 51 goal contributions in 52 games for Club Brugge. A set-piece threat too; if he gets anything close to those numbers in the regular season, then Arsenal have found themselves a £34m bargain.

Sam Blitz

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Aston Villa: Turbulent summer at Villa Park

The doom and gloom mood of pre-season following the departures of Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans was momentarily lifted with the performance of Aston Villa against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final.

New signing Joao Gomes and 17-year-old Brian Madjo have impressed in pre-season and stood out once again against PSG, despite the loss.

However, Unai Emery was dealt another blow when reports emerged of injuries for both players as they approach the season opener against Brighton. They will now join both Amadou Onana and new signing Johan Manzambi on the sidelines.

It has been a summer of change at Villa Park and navigating key player exits is difficult enough. Injuries and the absence of any form of pre-season for Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins due to their extended World Cup breaks now mean both the line-up and performance itself could throw up a few surprises at the Amex Stadium.

Pat Rowe

Bournemouth: Settled summer offers promise for biggest-ever season

After a free-scoring pre-season under new head coach Marco Rose there are hopes that life after Andoni Iraola can be just as bright for Bournemouth despite a first season in Europe to contend with.

The Cherries' succession plan is as strong for players as it is for managers and Rose will tinker with rather than overhaul Iraola's work and getting their transfer business done early has helped his squad settle ahead of their most testing season.

An injury to Eli Kroupi Junior's foot injury will stop him from carrying on his superb form from last season for the foreseeable but there is already intrigue about the prospect of Alvaro Rodriguez, a summer arrival from Elche.

There are concerns over a lack of depth in central defence, especially with 22-year-old Antonio Silva expected to slot straight in to replace Marcos Senesi. But the ex-Benfica man has plenty of pedigree, making 20 appearances for Portugal already and 41 in the Champions League.

Ron Walker

Brentford: Hopes of going one better after European near-miss

Goal difference alone prevented the Bees from qualifying for Europe in May, but that's been forgotten now.

They've spent over £60m this summer, breaking their transfer record to sign Mali international midfielder Mamadou Sangare from Lens, while also adding proven Premier League players Callum Wilson and Jaidon Anthony to bolster the attack.

Keith Andrews' side blew Eintracht Frankfurt away with a 7-0 win at the Gtech last Saturday, which set tongues wagging about what might be possible this term. Reaching Europe is sure to be the target internally - and this could well be the campaign they go one better.

Dan Long

Brighton: Conference League or bust for Seagulls

It was a blow to Brighton to lose Danny Welbeck in the summer - but few fans will begrudge him the move at this stage of his career after he gave a lot to the club. Likewise, Brighton will feel they got brilliant money in for Jan Paul van Hecke and Carl Rushworth - the latter of which could be challenging James Trafford for the England jersey in the coming years.

In terms of incomings, it's the usual case of 'trust the process' with Brighton's recruitment team. The incredible hit rate has slowed a little in recent times, but the club have generally rebuilt pretty well year on year.

Aims for the season? Nothing matters other than winning the Conference League. Having watched Crystal Palace lift the trophy last season, anything other than victory in Istanbul in June would be disaster.

Simeon Gholam

Chelsea: Work to do to replicate Alonso style

Xabi Alonso appears to be replicating his successful 3-4-3 formation, which delivered the Bundesliga title for Bayer Leverkusen, at Chelsea after testing the system in pre-season.

Alonso had fielded a 4-2-3-1 in their first three friendlies, but after switching to a back three against AC Milan - their best performance of the summer in a 3-0 win - it seems he could stick with it heading into their opening match against Fulham on Monday Night Football.

Maxence Lacroix was at the heart of the back three in their final pre-season game against Real Sociedad while Morgan Rogers started on the left of a dangerous frontline including Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer. Marco Palestra struggled at left-wing back with Pedro Neto operating on the other side. It remains a work in progress.

David Richardson

Coventry: Encouraging signs in pre-season

A friendly win over Monaco was an encouraging way to finish pre-season and a clean sheet for 'keeper Carl Rushworth, who has signed on a permanent deal after his impressive loan last year, will add confidence to the backline which was the meanest in the second tier.

That belief could be tested with an extremely difficult opener at Arsenal on Friday night but after 25 years away expect Coventry and their fans to relish their Premier League return.

They'll hope the creative Gustavo Hamer and powerhouse Taiwo Awoniyi can give Frank Lampard's side threat at the other end to cheer. But can they continue their front-foot approach at the highest level?

Peter Smith

Crystal Palace: World Cup hits preparations for 'tinkerman' Sage

Crystal Palace started pre-season with a new manager in Pierre Sage, but the Frenchman's attempts to implement a new playing style have been hampered as a host of first-team players were focused on the World Cup, rather than an opening 5-1 win over Swindon Town.

The reappearance of Matheus Franca, a forgotten Brazilian youngster, has been one of the rare positives as he scored a hat-trick against Swindon and has featured regularly.

A 3-0 loss to Bromley would not have offered much optimism to Sage, who then had to endure a stinging defeat by the same scoreline to former club RC Lens in a swift reunion at the Como Cup. Palace defeated FC Famalicao on penalties before scoring their first goals of the tournament, albeit in a consolation 3-0 victory over Saudi side Alula SC.

The returning Ismaila Sarr should be a key player for Sage, and he was on target with Franca in a 2-1 win over Fulham, but a 3-0 loss to Freiburg has left the new Palace boss to admit that he needs to temper his desire to tinker.

Richard Damerell

Everton: Right-back a problem... but right back in the mix for Europe?

Everton's summer business has been steady with the addition of highly rated Hayden Hackney plus Christian Norgaard from Arsenal offering extra bite and quality in midfield.

But strength in depth remains an issue elsewhere with the potential requirement of Jake O'Brien or even James Garner to cover at right-back for another season unless the Toffees can add some more quality at right-back.

They were linked with Daniel Munoz and expressed an interest in Djed Spence before his move to Inter Milan, but have yet to get a new face through the door. That has not been a problem on the right of their attack, where Brennan Johnson has added some extra pace which the counter-attack minded David Moyes will look to exploit at every opportunity.

Can Everton put their end-of-season drop behind them to reach Europe this time around? Moyes might not always be flavour of the month at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but you can never rule it out with him around.

Ron Walker

Fulham: The Los Blancos of London under Arbeloa?

Alvaro Arbeloa's arrival from Spanish giants Real Madrid has injected some Castilian culture into Craven Cottage. Rather than looking to the domestic market to fill the void left by Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez, Arbeloa tapped into La Fábrica, Real Madrid's renowned youth academy.

In a stunning double transfer, Fulham completed a £42.8m deal for two of Real Madrid's brightest young players: striker Gonzalo Garcia and attacking midfielder Cesar Palacios. In behind them, £30m signing Shea Charles will provide a solid anchor in midfield. Fulham are evolving their squad nicely.

Arbeloa has also looked to put his Spanish stamp on the team's tactical identity. In pre-season, they've adopted a high-intensity, high-pressing approach. This new style of play has excited Fulham fans. But with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United among their early opponents, Los Blancos will need to settle into their new identity pronto.

James Cole

Hull: Will goals stop Tigers from roaring?

Hull were shock play-off winners in the Championship last season, defying the odds and a transfer embargo to seal a return to the Premier League.

Once again, they have their doubters this summer but predicting how they will fare has been further complicated by a flood of new arrivals - and with more expected in the final days of the window.

An injury to one of those new additions, goalkeeper Jack Butland, is a major blow, with the former England stopper likely out until Christmas due to arm surgery.

But the Tigers will hope they have secured some savvy buys, a la Sunderland last season, with Nobel Mendy, Konstantinos Tzolakis and 18-year-old Aussie centre-back Lucas Herrington ones to watch. Goals, though, could be an issue - they hit the net just once in their final three friendlies.

Peter Smith

Ipswich: Proven quality over Championship potential on top-flight return

Ipswich return to the top flight looking a very different entity to the one which was relegated in May 2025. Victories in their last three pre-season fixtures have featured encouraging displays from new additions and a hint at how they will potentially set up with a back three under new boss Gary O'Neil.

Experienced Premier League players rather than upcoming domestic and Championship talent have been targeted, while Daizen Maeda's arrival from Celtic comes after goalscoring feats north of the border.

Brazilian striker Emersonn is still largely an unknown quantity despite two goals in his last two pre-season starts. There are potentially more additions to come before Sunderland visit Portman Road on Saturday.

Adam Williams

Leeds: Can Calvert-Lewin push Farke's side forward again?

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been on fire in pre-season, with three goals and two assists - is he set for an even better season than he had last term?

The Leeds striker had a pretty good campaign last time out with 14 Premier League goals - but it was even more impressive because he didn't have a pre-season, as he completed his Elland Road move on the eve of last term.

Having had a relatively full pre-season and with his injury woes behind him, plus the likes of Harry Wilson now in the team to support Leeds' attacking threat - is Calvert-Lewin going to lead Daniel Farke's wish for the Whites to be more competitive?

Sam Blitz

Liverpool: How will Iraola cope with new level of scrutiny?

Andoni Iraola has probably been under more scrutiny during pre-season at Liverpool than in three years in charge of Bournemouth. From recruitment to the balance of the squad, from the style of play to the ability to maintain it for 90 minutes, eyes are on him.

Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz will surely improve, but it still feels like a rebuild. The Liverpool fans are ready to embrace his rock and roll football. But can Iraola, coaching in Europe for the first time in his career, deliver the results that will sustain that support?

Adam Bate

Man City: Maresca wants to use throwback wingers - but there's a problem

Much of Man City's tactical approach under Enzo Maresca will mirror that of predecessor Pep Guardiola. They share similar philosophies. But a key change can be seen in how the Italian wants to use his wide players as more traditional wingers. Throwback to a bygone era of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane and it's something close.

Maresca has got two of the best wide ball carriers in the league in Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku; the intention is to use them as such. But an issue has arisen. Does Maresca have a midfield capable of servicing this system?

It was clear against Arsenal in the Community Shield that they do not. Semenyo landed five assists in pre-season but cut an isolated figure in that palling 3-0 defeat. With Bernardo Silva gone and Rodri's exit close, City's midfield reshuffle needs some serious work in order to get the team functioning and flowing as Maresca wants.

Laura Hunter

Man Utd: Progression on the pitch - but new personnel still required?

Manchester United ended their Premier League preparations with a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan, but the good news for Michael Carrick and United is that two players, in particular, have stood out in pre-season.

Having perhaps looked a bit tired towards the end of last season, Carrick will be purring to see Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo back to their electric selves.

It was quite clear last season that United would largely defend on the edge of their own box. What we've seen in pre-season has been a deviation - or, perhaps, progression. United are pushing higher and working harder to press and counter-press the opposition.

The game was a perfect illustration of why United need to invest seriously in a left-back: not just because Luke Shaw will need to be rotated with the increased number of games that comes with European competition, but also due to the way United clearly want to play going forward.

Danyal Khan

Newcastle: What awaits Jaissle after another tough summer?

Eddie Howe called for this summer to be different for Newcastle. It certainly has been, though not quite how he intended.

The now ex-head coach had hoped for early incomings and strong investment in a side which suffered after a messy transfer window 12 months ago but instead the loss of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali left the Magpies playing catch-up again while Bruno Guimaraes' departure was the final straw for Howe to walk.

Matthias Jaissle, another graduate of the Red Bull franchise, replaced him with an expectation of attractive, attacking football but his more pressing concern will be that four of his five new signings, costing almost £140m combined, are aged 20 or under.

That loss of experience on the pitch and in the dugout suggests another season of transition on Tyneside, but with the club still maintaining aims of a Premier League push within four years Jaissle and his players will have to come good sooner rather than later.

Ron Walker

Nottm Forest: Tricky Trees pruned to Glasner's wishes

Oliver Glasner arrives at Nottingham Forest having won three trophies in two seasons with Crystal Palace and is looking to put his stamp on things at the City Ground. Forest have switched to his favoured system and are quietly reshaping the squad to his needs.

Ousmane Diomande appears to be the standout signing and - for now at least - the key men remain. Forest fans would settle for Premier League progress after their European adventures but do not rule out fireworks from owner Evangelos Marinakis late in the window.

Adam Bate

Sunderland: Few new additions despite European demands

Sunderland spent over £180m revamping their squad for their return to the Premier League last summer - and there was method in the madness. The Black Cats stepped up admirably, qualifying for Europe for the first time in over half a century.

A year on, the only first-team signing they've made so far is that of 34-year-old Belgium right-back Thomas Meunier on a free from Lille, though Dayann Methalie is also set to join and become their record signing for £25.7m. That has been more than paid for already, with in excess of £30m recouped from the sales of fringe players.

The most significant moment of the summer, however, was when Granit Xhaka opted to stay at the club despite interest from Chelsea, who tabled an £8m bid for him to reunite with his former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso. Their captain was pivotal in 2025/26 and will be going forward, too.

Dan Long

Tottenham: New signings impress as captaincy decision looms

An unbeaten pre-season for Tottenham has maintained optimism around Roberto De Zerbi's side after a big summer of spending.

The six new arrivals have all impressed in pre-season, with the new £185m midfield pairing of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes both scoring.

New defenders Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke looked a solid centre-back pairing in Saturday's clean-sheet win over Hoffenheim - and their display was even more encouraging considering Micky van de Ven did not play a pre-season minute, raising concerns he might not be fit for the Brentford trip.

Pedro Porro, Mohammed Kudus and Destiny Udogie also failed to feature in pre-season, meaning new left-back Andy Robertson, who impressed against Hoffenheim, should start this weekend.

With Porro's late World Cup-winning arrival means Archie Gray could be set to start at right-back, where he has played all of pre-season.

Juventus have signed Guglielmo Vicario on an initial season-long loan from Tottenham.

The agreement also includes an £8.5m (€10m) option to buy the Spurs goalkeeper permanently.

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Juventus had previously been targeting Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez but cooled their interest after a £8.5m offer was rejected by the Premier League club.

Villa's valuation and Martinez's ongoing injury issues, including a knock to his finger, then led to Juventus turning their attention to Vicario as talks regarding a return to Italy, after joining Spurs from Empoli in 2023, intensified.

Sky Sports News reported in June that Vicario was expected to leave Spurs, with Antonin Kinsky their first-choice goalkeeper.

Martinez's Villa future in doubt

Villa have agreed a £29.9m (€35m) deal with Parma to sign goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who Juventus were also targeting on loan if he completed a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Suzuki's proposed move to PSG stalled and gave Villa fresh encouragement to move for the Japan World Cup star.

The pursuit of Suzuki now leaves Martinez's future at Villa in doubt. His current deal at the club is set to expire in 2029.

Speaking on August 5, a representative of the player told Sky Sports News that he was happy at Villa and was looking forward to the new season.

The Argentina World Cup-winning goalkeeper has never asked to leave Villa Park, even amid interest from Manchester United last summer and Juventus and Inter Milan this summer, according to Gustavo Goni of agency Universal TwentyTwo.

Martinez will only leave with the blessing of Villa and if a deal suits all parties.

Villa appear to be moving on - will Martinez?

Sky Sports' Patrick Rowe:

"Another transfer window, another saga involving Emiliano Martinez. The goalkeeper looked certain to leave last summer amid interest from Manchester United but that move failed to materialise.

"He remained at Villa Park and his legacy at the club continued to build. The two-time Yashin Trophy winner and 2022 World Cup winner played through an ongoing finger injury to help win the Europa League and continued to perform at the highest level in the top flight.

"Only Gianluigi Donnarumma and Matz Sels had higher save percentages than Martinez (70.7 per cent) last season and while there are no doubts about his ability, his future in claret and blue raises an interesting question.

"When links to an exit emerged last summer, the succession plan looked unclear. Marco Bizot arrived and performed well as an understudy but after agreeing a £29.9m deal to sign Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma, it points to a club pulling the trigger on the heir to Martinez's throne between the sticks.

"It is hard to imagine a goalkeeper of his quality operating without the certainty of being first choice. It is equally as difficult to imagine a club parting ways with just under £30m, as well as beating off competition from PSG and Juventus, to sign Suzuki without first-team opportunities readily available.

"Villa have navigated a summer of change in the transfer window and replacing Martinez is arguably the greatest task of them all. For six years, he has been a reliable and often heroic option for the club to lean on in goal.

"The key question that needs answering now Villa appear to have moved on is will Martinez follow suit, with a move to Juventus now off the cards given their recruitment of Guglielmo Vicario?"

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"A lot of people questioned it," Scott Chickelday tells Sky Sports. "Those same people are now looking at it and thinking, hang on, we might have got a bit of a bargain here." Such has been the start that Will Lankshear has made to his Middlesbrough career.

Boro paid a fee that could rise to £20m to sign the young striker from Tottenham and have been rewarded with a volleyed winner against Wrexham on debut in the Carabao Cup and a brace to turn around their Championship opener against Lincoln.

Striker coach Chickelday, who has done one-on-one finishing work with Lankshear for the past two years, is far from surprised. He works with top Premier League players but rates him as the best finisher of the lot. "He has got all the finishes in the book," Chickelday explains.

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"He has got the little flicks around the corner, tap-ins, headers, volleys. Just an all-round No 9 and there are not many around at the minute. His finishing is incredible. I tell people and they laugh at me, but this boy is the closest thing I have seen to Harry Kane."

It is a big claim to compare the 21-year-old hopeful to Kane, who has scored more goals for England than any man in history, the reigning holder of the European Golden Shoe. But others see it too and there are parallels in their route, trajectory and attitude.

Like Kane, not all of Lankshear's loan moves away from Spurs were instant hits. A move to West Brom ended without a goal. But things went better on a personal level at Oxford even as the club suffered relegation from the Championship.

"Oxford was a big step for Will. He had gone out on loan before and it had not quite worked out," Matt Bloomfield tells Sky Sports. Bloomfield was the man who took over as head coach of Oxford in January with the club one place off the bottom of the table.

He was soon impressed by Lankshear, the young forward tasked with leading the line for a struggling side. It demanded different qualities from him. "He worked incredibly hard for us, left everything out on the pitch," says Bloomfield. The experience improved him.

"With very limited senior football behind him, he just needed help to round his game off. We were out of possession a lot so it was about being in position when we won it back. We did a lot of work on his hold-up play and being a nuisance when we cleared the ball."

In context, Lankshear's total of 11 goals in the Championship last season was an encouraging effort. "In a team that got relegated, that is some going," says Chickelday. "It is tough when you are down there." At Middlesbrough, he will be able to show more.

"He is in a totally different environment now," agrees Bloomfield. "Middlesbrough will dominate the ball and that will suit him even more with the opportunities that they create. He is born to score goals. He is obsessed. All he wants to do is train and score."

That is where those Kane comparisons return. There is that same laser-like focus on maximising his ability. "He is a lovely lad but he has got an edge to him," says his old boss. "He wants to be successful. All the top players are single-minded and driven."

Bloomfield adds: "He has a massive natural instinct but you can see the hours of practice too. It is the same with Harry Kane and his goals. It is not just natural instinct. These guys are born goalscorers but they also work so incredibly hard at their craft."

The stories from his time at Oxford illustrate this clearly. When training was over, Lankshear wanted to keep going. "He would just stay out there finishing all day. We had to push him back in the building. We had a game the next day and needed his legs."

With that in mind, Bloomfield is not surprised to discover that Lankshear has been working with a one-on-one coach to do those extras. Even Chickelday has become used to the youngster who reached out to him for help doing extras on top of the extras.

"He does not just turn up, do a session and go. He will get there 40 minutes before the session starts, do a warm up and then do the hour with me. Then they will stay for another 25 to 30 minutes doing running after the session. That shows you his mentality."

Lankshear attends these sessions alongside older brother Alex, who scored himself for Gateshead at the weekend. But what does he actually work on? "It is a lot of repetition work, match scenarios. Headers, volleys, finishes from cutbacks. All types of finishes."

Chickelday adds: "Did you see the one that he scored for Oxford from outside the box?" He is referring to the second of Lankshear's goals against Sheffield Wednesday in April. "It was the typical Kane finish where he cuts in and bends the ball into the top corner."

It is a trademark. "He likes to drift out on the left and cut inside. But whatever he can do on his right foot, he can do on his left. That is what gives him that unpredictability when he is finishing as well. He does not mind which way that the defender shows him.

"It is his ruthlessness in front of goal and his consistency in hitting the target. His shots-on-target ratio is phenomenal. In our sessions, he rarely misses the target at all. I am not saying that he is scoring with every single shot but he does work the goalkeeper."

Bloomfield's point about having the dedication to match the talent is key - and the reason why there is such excitement about Lankshear. He can score great goals but there are the near-post runs, the ones where he follows in to capitalise on a fumble.

Among the 72 players in the Championship last season who had 50 shots or more, Lankshear ranked third for expected goals per shot. Even at Oxford, he was getting high-quality chances because of the work that he was putting in. There is more to come too.

"He never gets to take them but he is a really good free-kick taker," says Chickelday. He is convinced there are great things ahead. "Sometimes you come out of the session and you are like, this one is special. You just get that feeling." But can he explain why?

"It is his mentality. He wants to be the best. He wants to be the No 1 striker in England. And then obviously he wants to be the No 1 in the world too. And I really would not be surprised in two years' time if he is Harry Kane's replacement.

"I do not want to talk about moves at the minute because Middlesbrough will probably kill me. He has only been there five minutes. But I think he is two moves away from being a £100m striker if he keeps developing and doing well - and I think he will."

That is for the future. The present is about firing Boro to the Premier League. One way or another, those who know him are certain that is where Will Lankshear is heading. "I have absolutely no doubt about that," adds Bloomfield. "Will is going to the very top."

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