Moving Target

Moving Target – Aaron Lennon

Everton’s final coup of Deadline Day saw the Merseysiders acquire the services of Aaron Lennon from Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £4.2 million. Arriving on a three-year deal, the winger – who spent the back end of last season on loan with the Toffees – was delighted to seal his return to Goodison Park:

“It’s an unbelievable feeling, a lot of people know it’s the move I wanted and from the first time I got here, it felt like home. I was just hoping it got done throughout the summer, I was just waiting, waiting. The loan spell was great for me. I enjoyed the whole feel of everything and the reception from everyone to do with the club. I felt so welcomed and I was just hoping throughout the whole summer that this one got done – and thankfully it did.”

THE HISTORY

The Yorkshire-born wide man started his career at the Leeds United youth setup in 2001 and was promoted to the first team at the tender age of 16. His professional debut, against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2003, marked him as the youngest ever Premier League player.

Having netted on his first Premier League start, against Sunderland on Boxing Day 2004, Lennon cemented a first-team spot at Elland Road. After Leeds encountered financial problems, Lennon was sold to Spurs for £1 million, a much lower fee than expected due to the Yorkshire club’s difficulties.

Lennon burst onto the scene after arriving at White Hart Lane and was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the year for three consecutive campaigns from 2005-2008. However, his ten goals and 24 assists over those three seasons wasn’t enough to snatch the award from Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ashley Young.

Lennon kept his starting role during a period of turbulence that saw Juande Ramos sacked and Harry Redknapp brought in. A mainstay in the Spurs team over the next five years, the winger was one of his side’s most consistent players and averaged four goals and nine assists during that period.

The arrivals of Nacer Chadli, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela before the 2013-14 season threw his starting role into jeopardy and Lennon started slowly losing minutes. Last January’s loan to Everton provided a re-birth and the winger managed two goals and one assist in 12 starts, impressing with his direct play, which Everton had previously lacked.

Lennon was part of England’s 2006 World Cup squad, making his first senior start in the 3-1 loss against Portugal in the Quarter-Final. After that he was in and out of Steve McClaren’s side but was selected by Fabio Capello for the 2010 World Cup, where he featured twice. Since then the 28-year-old has only collated two further caps. One in the 2012 World Cup qualifying match against San Marino, picking up two assists, and he came off the bench in 2013’s friendly against Brazil. Lennon has already announced his intentions of returning to the international scene:

“To get back in the England squad is definitely one of my aims. I didn’t have a good run of games for the last maybe couple of seasons until I came back up here (Everton), but hopefully I can get a great run of games in the team. It’s definitely my aim to try and push for an England spot again.”

THE PROSPECTS

Although Lennon was quick to cement a role in Everton’s starting line-up in 2014/15, he’s likely to face a tougher challenge this year. Last term, Roberto Martinez’s side lacked a more direct option until Lennon’s arrival but the signing of Gerard Deulofeu, allied with the return to form of both Ross Barkley and Arouna Kone, gives the Toffees boss greater options in the final third.

So far, Martinez has handed Kone, Kevin Mirallas, Steven Naismith and Deulofeu minutes on the right of a 4-2-3-1, though it’s Kone who looks in the driving seat, having started each of the last three. Nonetheless, having been part of the first XI in 12 of the last 13 Gameweeks he was available for last year, Lennon will fancy his chances of ultimately climbing ahead of the Ivorian in the pecking order.

Tom Cleverley’s ankle ligament injury also needs to be factored in. With the former United man set for a spell on the sidelines, the likes of Mirallas and Deulofeu could be given more minutes on the left, thus boosting Lennon’s chances of earning minutes on the opposite flank.

With a price tag of 5.8 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, Fantasy managers would be wise to resist bringing the winger in for now. In-form mid-price midfield options such as Riyad Mahrez, Bakary Sako, Nathan Redmond and Cheikhou Kouyate afford us far more secure picks in the same bracket.

Looking at the upcoming schedule, clashes against five of last season’s top eight in the next six (CHE, swa, wba, LIV, MUN, ars) is enough to steer Fantasy managers away from Martinez’ side for now. With the fixtures turning far kinder from Gameweek 11 onwards, though, Lennon may yet have a part to play, though with the in-form Barkley at just 6.7, the former Spurs man faces a tough task to make his way onto our Watchlists. Indeed, given that Lennon has never scored more than five goals in a Premier League season, he’ll need to greatly improve his end product if he’s to play any part in our thinking.

Further Reference

Aaron Lennon Wikipedia

Aaron Lennon Transfer Markt Page

Aaron Lennon You Tube Highlights

thepuntmaster Twitter - @thepuntmaster Freelance journo and FPL addict. Everton fan.

932 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wouter
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Looking forward to seeing City in the UCL this season again. Wonder how they'll do. Probably get ripped apart by Messi once more in the R16 but they look so exciting.

    1. The Pep Revolution
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Surely wont get Barca for the third year in a row in the round of 16. How unlucky can the club be haha.

      1. Wouter
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        They might get Mayo this year 🙂

        1. The Pep Revolution
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Don't wish that on us, the power house that is Mayo, Id rather have Barca 😉

  2. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Silva assy

  3. Woy of the Wovers
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Well done for those who kept Walcott. Deserved those points.

  4. Everyday im Schneiderlin
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Whats the deal with pedro being %220 to rise for the last few days ? When will he actually rise ?

    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I doubt it after he gets injured tonight

  5. PSEBJ27
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    We keep talking about how De Bruyne's (KDB) arrival could seriously affect Silva's point potential, but have we thought about how it could affect another City midfield prospect a lot more?

    So far, City have played a 4-2-3-1 with:
    Sagna Kompany Mangala Kolarov
    Yaya Fernandinho
    Navas Silva Sterling
    Aguero

    In this system, Silva hogs the middle of the field and Sterling and Navas spread the field by playing wide and playing through balls to Sagna and Kolarov on the overlaps. This has been quite successful, and Silva has been the hub of creativity behind it.

    Now that De Bruyne has joined, most people think City will line up in the same formation with De Bruyne filling in for Navas. Let's think about De Bruyne's style of play. He likes to roam into the middle of the field and create chances, and he stays further infield that on the outside. It's almost the same as Silva when he was playing LM last season or RW against Watford after half time.

    With De Bruyne and Silva leaning towards this kind of play, it means that one of them are likely to be on the RW floating into the middle while one stays predominantly in the middle. This shouldn't dent either prospects, if anything, it increases the creativity in the middle.

    However, this could seriously affect Yaya Toure's points. The key part of Navas spreading wide was allowing space for Yaya to make runs in through the right side of the middle of the field, wherein Navas would either cut it back to him, or play it for him to create from that position. If De Bruyne plays more centrally and doesn't spread the width of the field, Yaya won't have much space to go on forward, and Sagna/Zabaleta may be doing some more wing work.

    All in all, I wouldn't worry about Silva being affected by KDB, or vice-versa. But I would worry for our good old Yaya Toure, who may not be able to get forward into as much space as he'd like.

    1. The Pep Revolution
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      An interesting take on it and you could be right. Difficult to know at this stage.

      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I was saying exactly this to Champ earlier! It's why I was looking to get rid of Yaya in our draft league.

      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      The player who stands to benefit is probably Zabaleta who may be given more space for his overlaps down the right wing as KdB moves inside.

    2. Sepp Blattered
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I agree with the Yaya point but I think it will mean Silva will also be affected.

      All speculation of course until we get data from both players playing, but my theory is that Silva will probably lose out on numerous assists since He won't be the focal creative player anymore theoretically.

      I also think Sterling is going to benefit as well as Aguero.

      1. Camp No No
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        But he may get more shots and thus goals.

    3. Rossonero
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I agree with your logic 100%, but until we see 2-3 games is really hard to predict anything

    4. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Oh well, Yoyo better start working on that free kick of his.

  6. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Flick da dish.......

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      sticky this......

    2. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I'd sooner flick the bean 😉

  7. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Voldemort should definitely be in the England XI. Quality player.

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Earthworm Jim? Separated from Ian Dowie at birth ...

      1. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        😀

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          😉

    2. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Shelvey?

      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I think someone noticed that they were both bald.

    3. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      For sure. Definitely the most improved player of the season so far.

  8. Huddersfield
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Watching Silva and Iniesta playing together priceless

    1. BlzE_94
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      That's disgusting.

      1. Huddersfield
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Pique & Ramos too 😀

  9. Mr. Grv
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    How much ever English people might hate Rooney
    for being fat,bald or a pig but he their best striker and player since long time.

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Errrm ...

    2. LarryDuff
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      If I were English id sooner see Studge, Welbeck, Austin or Walcott up front ahead of him anyday.

      1. Mr. Grv
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Yup i think all of them are better striker then Rooney right now .

    3. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      which still doesn't say much.
      Like being the driest fish in the river...

    4. st4rt__
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      We should've packed Rooney in couple season's back tbh.

    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Are the last internationals on wednesday?

    1. Wouter
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Tuesday

      1. Bertzeiner-m
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Who is playing Tuesday?

        1. Wouter
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          England - Switzerland is one of them.

        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        cheers

  10. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Any internationals today?

  11. lespaul
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    the Aaron Lennon article....
    He didn't start the 2006 Portugal game, he came on as SUB. England didn't lose 3-1 , it was 0-0 then went to penalties

  12. Diva
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Balders, are you still here?

      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      'ello?

  13. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    So then one more time. For the armband. Alexis vs. Kun. What are your arguments?

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Kun will score..

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Let Aguero get through Tuesday.

      1. Moin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        This

    3. Chelsea Dagger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Kun. He is do, and performed well in his Intl game. Sanchez my vc.

      1. st4rt__
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        So is/did Alexis.

    4. BlzE_94
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Palace could very well keep a cs against City, whereas Stoke look like they are going to get hammered by Arsenal.

      1. Ally - Killie Til I Die
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Palace keeping a clean sheet... very unlikely imo

      2. st4rt__
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        A CS vs City in their form? Nope.

      3. 32chickens
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        naw,will give citeh a good game imo
        and sako will score against them-no one else has this season

      4. Uppercut Panda - A legend i…
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        A Pardew team keeping a CS?

  14. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    who will start next game to play on LB position for Bournemouth?

    benett or smith ?

    1. st4rt__
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I reckon Smith this week, Benatt next.

    2. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Where did Daniels go?

  15. st4rt__
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else hoping for a haul from Payet v Newcastle before letting him go? I'll bringing in Sako to free up some funds I imagine.

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      take sako now-he scores and assists and BPS when he wants
      -and i'm a citeh fan (next up)

    2. Bertzeiner-m
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I am, and I if he does well why transfer him out for Norwivh and Sunderland?

      1. st4rt__
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        That's a good point tbf but I just don't like the City fixture after Toon.

    3. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Me..Coutinho getting sent off solved my benching dilemma this gw..I'll be starting Payet with Coutinho benched

      1. st4rt__
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        You'd of played Payet anyway, wouldn't you?

  16. Moin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Almost 3-0 for Slovania Vs Switzerland

  17. Ally - Killie Til I Die
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Evening folks

    1. st4rt__
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Hello Ally.

      1. Ally - Killie Til I Die
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Just finished a 9-9 shift. Tucking into some Better Call Saul and some Southern Comfort

      1. Ally - Killie Til I Die
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        My bad hahaha, I will move onto the right post

  18. New article
  19. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Costa does not look like a good fit for the Spanish team for some reason

  20. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Likely everton starting line up? Mostly interested in the first choice 3 playing behind Lukaku....

  21. Everyday im Schneiderlin
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Hes been playing
    Lukaku
    Kone barkley cleverley but cleverly is injured so possibly

    Lukaku
    Kone barkley delefau/mirallas