25 May 2006
VIDEO: England 1-2 Belarus

A game that ended with the wrong result but a number of positive performances, particularly that of young Aaron Lennon.

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Less than 12 months ago, Aaron Lennon was lining up for Leeds United in the Championship. Wind forward a year and the young winger’s career has taken off.

Last summer’s move to Tottenham Hotspur as understudy to Wayne Routledge turned into his big chance when the first choice player was injured. Lennon grabbed his opportunity, turning in eye-catching performances. It wasn’t long before Sven-Göran Eriksson took note...

How have you found life since joining the England set-up?

Having the Spurs players around has helped me to settle in, because we all get on with each other. Training with England is similar to that at Spurs. It’s been very quick and the standard is very good. You’d expect that with a big tournament coming up. But we’re having a good time, so that obviously helps relax you.

Your rise to the side has been quick – how’s it been for you personally?

Last summer I signed for Spurs. I wasn’t even playing there in the first few weeks of the season. Then Wayne Routledge got injured and I got given a chance by the manager and I haven’t looked back. It’s been unbelievable really. I’ve got quite a few assists and a couple of goals. I do a lot of hard work in training trying to improve both aspects of my game.

Was the full senior England squad in your sights this season?

At the beginning of the season, my aim was to break into the Tottenham first team. Once I got there my goal was to keep my place, England didn’t really enter my thinking. Then I played for the Under-21s and not long after Sven mentioned me and a couple of other players and said, "You never know." Having said that, I never actually thought I’d make the World Cup squad, even on the day it was announced.

When did you discover you’d made the squad?

I found out on the day when Michelle [the team administrator] called me up and said, "You’ve made the squad." I wasn’t jumping about because I just couldn’t believe it. It took a while for it actually to sink in.

Didn’t you even have an inkling that you might make the squad?

Over the last few months, people had told me, "Sven’s at the game" when he was in the stands, but I didn’t worry, I just played my game. That is the way I have been my whole life. If you start worrying about other things then it will affect you.

That’s a good attitude to take...

I’ve always just loved playing football, right from being a kid. My brother was a big influence on me. He was a right-winger at Leeds and Man United, I just copied him. He got released by Man United and went back to Leeds, but it didn’t really kick off for him. Every day, he just tells me to enjoy my football. He’s helped me a lot. Now he’s really happy for me.

For a while it looked like wingers were a dying breed – now they’re everywhere…

A lot of teams are starting to use wingers again. Before they were maybe going a bit narrower. But for me, the fact that Spurs are using a winger has helped me a lot. If I get the ball, I love to dribble, go past players and try and score or assist goals. That’s my game.

Which defender has given you the sternest test so far?

My hardest opponent has probably been Gael Clichy at Arsenal. When we played them at home, he was very quick and it was a good battle between us.

You’ve been given the squad number 19 – the same as Gazza at Italia 90 – how do you feel about that?

I haven’t taken too much notice of the squad number. Obviously Gazza was a great player and he liked to dribble, but I’m happy to have any number. If I have the chance to get on at the World Cup, it would be unbelievable. Actually, just playing for England would be unbelievable.

The squad’s new boys are real speed merchants. Who’s faster, you or Theo?

I haven’t really had a race against Theo yet but I reckon it would be quite close. He is very quick! I used to run the 100 metres when I was younger and I was the fastest in Leeds for my age but I have never been timed. I just used to win the races.

Joe Cole on Lennon

"It’s a lot of pressure on Theo and there probably would have been just as much on Aaron if there wasn’t a player two years younger than him in the squad. I’m sure they are going to do a great job for us so we need to let them get on with their football. That’s what I wanted when I was their age and I’m sure that’s what they want too. Let’s stop talking and let them play."

Paul Robinson on Lennon

"I am delighted to see Aaron Lennon’s inclusion in the squad. Maybe he won’t start games but with his pace he can come on for the last 15 to 20 minutes and change a game. At Spurs there is a definite buzz when he comes on. He makes a run and he lifts the crowd up. Nothing seems to faze him. He just enjoys himself."