lennon321g
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- Jan 28, 2008
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AARON LENNON has insisted he is one player who is NOT leaving Tottenham.
Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Paul Robinson are three high-profile players who have attracted serious interest from Premier League rivals.
But Spurs flier Lennon, 21, laughs when he hears his name mentioned as another of the stars who will be leaving White Hart Lane in a massive shake-up by manager Juande Ramos.
The England winger revealed: “There is no way I am leaving Tottenham.
“I am settled here, I love the club and I feel my best form is yet to come.
“There is absolutely no reason for me to go anywhere else as I want to make a real contribution towards taking Spurs forward.
“The manager has never said a word to me about leaving — in fact it has been the opposite.
“Whenever I’ve spoken to him, he has given me tremendous encouragement. His words have been a real boost to my confidence.
“The manager has been right behind me since he came to the club and nothing has changed.”
Tottenham have invested heavily in the White Hart Lane squad already.
Luka Modric, who cost £16.6million, will provide midfield flair and £4.7m Giovani dos Santos is expected to be a big hit up front.
As for the outs, striker Berbatov is expected to join Manchester United in a £25m deal, while fellow hitman Keane is on the brink of a £20m switch to Liverpool.
But former Leeds man Lennon relishes the prospect of nailing down a first-team place despite the competition for places hotting up.
He added: “The more quality players the manager signs, the better it is for everyone — the club and players.
“We all respond to competition and I am no different. It’s all about improving yourself and the team.
“No one can afford to stand still in football and I want to improve the whole time.
“I particularly want to work on my consistency and the final product.”
Lennon copped stick last season for his lack of consistency. But he had been pressed back into action ahead of schedule after undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage.
He explained: “I had a tiny tear in my cartilage. It was straightforward surgery but it did set me back.
“By the time I reached full fitness again, the other lads in the squad had moved on and were that bit fitter than me.
“I was recalled to the side and I couldn’t really get into the flow. Some games were good, some not so good.
“To be perfectly honest, I don’t think the Tottenham fans have seen the best of me yet. My best campaign so far was definitely the season I arrived from Leeds in 2005-06.
“Defenders have also looked at how I play and they come up with plans to stop me.
“I need to be a bit more inventive and develop with new ways of getting past them. I am trying to improve all the time. I must get better as I want to do well for Tottenham because they have been good for me.”
Spurs clinched their UEFA Cup place by winning the Carling Cup but Lennon admits the team hit a bad patch after the 2-1 Wembley over Chelsea in February.
That dodgy patch also cost Lennon his England place but he is convinced a recall will come when he regains his high level of performance.
He added: “Mentally, I am very strong.
“Any setbacks you get, you must be able to take. It is the same if you get criticised for how you play. You take it and get on with it.
“As for England, a recall goes hand in hand with your club form — and that’s what comes first.”
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1427722.ece
Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Paul Robinson are three high-profile players who have attracted serious interest from Premier League rivals.
But Spurs flier Lennon, 21, laughs when he hears his name mentioned as another of the stars who will be leaving White Hart Lane in a massive shake-up by manager Juande Ramos.
The England winger revealed: “There is no way I am leaving Tottenham.
“I am settled here, I love the club and I feel my best form is yet to come.
“There is absolutely no reason for me to go anywhere else as I want to make a real contribution towards taking Spurs forward.
“The manager has never said a word to me about leaving — in fact it has been the opposite.
“Whenever I’ve spoken to him, he has given me tremendous encouragement. His words have been a real boost to my confidence.
“The manager has been right behind me since he came to the club and nothing has changed.”
Tottenham have invested heavily in the White Hart Lane squad already.
Luka Modric, who cost £16.6million, will provide midfield flair and £4.7m Giovani dos Santos is expected to be a big hit up front.
As for the outs, striker Berbatov is expected to join Manchester United in a £25m deal, while fellow hitman Keane is on the brink of a £20m switch to Liverpool.
But former Leeds man Lennon relishes the prospect of nailing down a first-team place despite the competition for places hotting up.
He added: “The more quality players the manager signs, the better it is for everyone — the club and players.
“We all respond to competition and I am no different. It’s all about improving yourself and the team.
“No one can afford to stand still in football and I want to improve the whole time.
“I particularly want to work on my consistency and the final product.”
Lennon copped stick last season for his lack of consistency. But he had been pressed back into action ahead of schedule after undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage.
He explained: “I had a tiny tear in my cartilage. It was straightforward surgery but it did set me back.
“By the time I reached full fitness again, the other lads in the squad had moved on and were that bit fitter than me.
“I was recalled to the side and I couldn’t really get into the flow. Some games were good, some not so good.
“To be perfectly honest, I don’t think the Tottenham fans have seen the best of me yet. My best campaign so far was definitely the season I arrived from Leeds in 2005-06.
“Defenders have also looked at how I play and they come up with plans to stop me.
“I need to be a bit more inventive and develop with new ways of getting past them. I am trying to improve all the time. I must get better as I want to do well for Tottenham because they have been good for me.”
Spurs clinched their UEFA Cup place by winning the Carling Cup but Lennon admits the team hit a bad patch after the 2-1 Wembley over Chelsea in February.
That dodgy patch also cost Lennon his England place but he is convinced a recall will come when he regains his high level of performance.
He added: “Mentally, I am very strong.
“Any setbacks you get, you must be able to take. It is the same if you get criticised for how you play. You take it and get on with it.
“As for England, a recall goes hand in hand with your club form — and that’s what comes first.”
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1427722.ece
