18 December 2006
VIDEO: Aaron Lennon interview

England's flying winger looks back on a sensational year which included playing for the Three Lions at the World Cup.

Aaron Lennon is determined to make up for his World Cup heartache and says it has given him the appetite to help the Three Lions win a major trophy in the next few years.

Lennon, 19, has earned rave reviews for Tottenham following his move from Leeds in July 2005 and has emerged as one of the best young talents in the English game.

The talented winger was rewarded for his impressive displays when he made his England debut as a second half substitute during the 6-0 win over Jamaica on the eve of the World Cup and was selected in the squad which travelled to Germany.

Things got even better for Lennon when he came on a substitute during the games against Trinidad, Ecuador and Portugal, but was devastated when his team crashed out of the competition in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals.

Lennon has now set his sights on helping England qualify for the Euro 2008 Finals and helping his country lift a major trophy for the first time since 1966.

Lennon, who was representing Nationwide at King George Hospital in Essex, said: "When I see the clips and pictures of me playing I still cannot believe that I actually played in the World Cup.

"It happened so fast for me and I could have never imagined going and actually playing in the competition. I cannot put into words what it was like.

"I have always wanted to play in a World Cup and it was like a dream come true for me. Putting on the England shirt and then seeing all the fans was unbelievable.

"I don’t think it affected us that we were one of the favourites to win it. We all knew the quality we had in the side and the players know how good we can be when we play to our best form."

"I just cannot wait for the next World Cup to come around and hopefully I will be involved and playing from the beginning throughout the whole tournament. It has given me a taste for it and makes me want more.

"With the squad we have got I still believe we should have gone a lot further. All the lads know we should have done better but that is in the past now and I am now looking forward to the European Championships in 2008. The main thing for us is to make sure we qualify for them."

Lennon is hoping 2007 will provide him with more opportunities to play in the England team and help him cement his place down the right-hand side for his country.

With David Beckham currently out of the side, Lennon knows he has a great chance to show he can compete on the international stage.

Lennon knows it is the start of a new era with Steve McClaren taking over the managerial reins and says the whole squad are excited playing under him.

Lennon added: "With David Beckham not being in the team it is a chance for me to stake my claim down the right hand side.

"Stevie G has been playing there and he is one of the best players in the world, if not the best. It is just brilliant for me to be involved with the England team.

"Steve McClaren is a very good manager. He is very enthusiastic and likes the lads to work hard. All the training sessions I have been involved in have been great and I feel we are definitely going places.

"We are the favourites to qualify from the group but that is easier said than done. We are confident of qualifying and hopefully we can win the rest of the games.

"It has not really affected me with a new manager coming in. It is a fresh start and everyone is looking to impress him.

"John Terry is a great leader and it doesn’t surprise me that he is captain. I think he will be a great captain for England."

Lennon has already been voted BBC London’s young player of the year and knows he can achieve major success during his career.

And the Tottenham winger has warned that the best is yet to come from him and he can become an even better player in the near future.

He said: "I never ever felt I would play so soon for England and I still can’t believe it has happened. I am really enjoying it at the moment.

"I think I am improving all the time and each year I am getting better. I still think there is a lot more to come from me. I am training hard and looking at all aspects of my game. I don’t think the best has come from me yet."