The Tottenham flyer finally looks to be living up to his potential, with yet another Young Player of the Year nomination in 2009
Born in Chapeltown, Leeds, Lennon’s rise through the football ranks, like his wing-play, has been rapid. He made his debut for Leeds (ironically against Spurs) in 2003, becoming the youngest player in Premier League history at just 16 years and 129 days. Two years later, Spurs paid £1m for his services. Quickly – he has no other pace setting – he established himself in the team, where his mesmerising trickery and searing speed made him Spurs’ most incisive threat in 2006, earning him a nomination for PFA Young Player of the Year and a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England World Cup squad.
A Young Player of the Year nominee again in 2007, he failed to kick on in the way many expected in 2007/08, despite Spurs' Carling Cup win. In fact it was only when his Spurs future looked the most bleak, after the arrival of David Bentley in N17, that the 'Yorkshire Nipper' returned to his best form, steering Spurs well clear of the relegation zone and to another Carling Cup final, before earning a third Young Player of the Year nomination.
Lennon finally looks to have ironed the creases out of his game, with his decision making and delivery both coming on leaps and bounds, and will be looking to end 2009/10 with a trip to South Africa.