Lightning Aaron Lennon out to follow in Theo Walcott's footsteps

James Olley
3 Sep 2009

Croatia were devastated by a young enterprising winger when England last lined up against Slaven Bilic's side, almost exactly a year ago, and next week Aaron Lennon is hoping for the opportunity to prove history can repeat itself.

The Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb became the venue where Theo Walcott announced himself on the international stage in the most emphatic fashion with a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory that drew the clearest of lines under the failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

It was the Arsenal's winger second senior start and only unfortunate luck with injuries prevented him from elevating his reputation still further for both club and country.

His absence has created opportunities for others - not least helping to extend David Beckham's swansong - and it is noteworthy that Fabio Capello's squad to take on Slovenia and Croatia contains five players adept on the right side of midfield.

Lennon's superb start to the season has prompted his inclusion and although Shaun Wright-Phillips, James Milner, Beckham and Ashley Young will argue otherwise, it is the Tottenham winger whose case to start is the most compelling.

"Aaron can definitely step in and do the job for England," said club team-mate Jermain Defoe.

"He has played at this level before, so he knows what it takes to go out there and play well.

"Shaun Wright-Phillips has had a good start to the season but I see Aaron day in and day out and he is just frightening.

"He is really on song right now. He is scoring goals at the moment, which is important as well, and I am not sure Croatia will want to play against someone like that."

Indeed, the damage Walcott inflicted against the same opponents may urge Capello to field a player with similar qualities for a match in which victory will seal England's place at next summer's World Cup finals.

Confidence is a problem that has afflicted both players in the past but Lennon's could hardly be higher right now.

A stoppage-time winner for Spurs against Birmingham capped an excellent opening to his Premier League campaign.

Lennon has 11 caps to Walcott's eight, four starts to six and, at 22-years-old, represents a wealth of potential just like his north London rival.

Both players' shortcomings are also mirrored as neither produces a goal return their attacking style deserves, nor a consistent final ball to capitalise on the areas their pace and trickery so often access.

But Defoe said: "Aaron has areas he needs to improve and I am sure that will come with age. He is still very young but has been working hard on his game and his final delivery has been excellent this season. His pace is unbelievable. When he is direct and has got the ball at his feet to run at defenders, they don't know how to handle him."

Should Lennon start against Slovenia on Saturday, it would continue a notable recovery for a player who went to the last World Cup as a 19-year-old but failed to establish himself.

Although he impressed in helping to turn a game to England's advantage against Trinidad & Tobago that was heading for stalemate, his influence as a substitute was largely negligible and he returned to the Under-21 set-up to continue his development. A two-year senior exile followed, as a loss of form for Tottenham led to speculation he would be sold as he fell out of favour under Juande Ramos.

But Redknapp has since revitalised Lennon, while even the goals are starting to flow - that winner against Birmingham was preceded by a goal at West Ham. Defoe can understand how Redknapp has influenced Lennon and believes his manager is the role model that every player needs.

"Harry has had a massive impact on my career - to be honest, he has been like a father figure to me," said Defoe. "He has been brilliant and always given me confidence."

The Spurs forward joined the England squad following a stunning start to the season in which he has scored four goals in as many Premier League games.

Defoe also netted twice as a second-half substitute in England's last match, a 2-2 friendly draw against Holland.

He added: "I remember reading the other day that Harry first saw me when I was 14 years old at the FA National School of Excellence in Lilleshall and kept an eye on me ever since.

"When you play for a manager like that, you want to play well and get your goals to repay him for the faith he shows in you. You try and do whatever it takes and try to win the game for him.

"That's the way it's been and its taken me into great form for these England games and I believe I can now regularly perform on the biggest stage."

A £1million acquisition from Leeds in June 2005, Lennon has experienced the peaks and troughs of the modern game in his short career but Defoe now hopes they can form a deadly partnership on the international stage.

"Aaron has a strong character and knows he is playing well, so you just let him get on with it," added Defoe.

"He might make mistakes but that's how you learn and no-one could doubt he has the quality to deliver at this level. If you speak to any defender in the world, none of them would want to play against him because he has pace and a directness about him and it's a lethal combination."