Why Lennon Is the Spurs Player Who Would Most Benefit from a January Transfer

Time flies when you're having fun. Scrap that, time just flies anyway. Ask Tottenham Hotspur's Aaron Lennon.

One minute he is the precocious winger seizing his chance at White Hart Lane. The next it is almost 10 years later, his time in north London seemingly close to its conclusion.

Like with contemplation of most things in life, it seems incomprehensible that so much time has passed. But that it has. And as good as Lennon's run at Tottenham has been, the point has come where a move in this transfer window is likely the best option for his career.

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He might not be the first out of the door this month. BBC Sport was among those to report on Tuesday Spurs had accepted a bid from Swansea City for full-back Kyle Naughton.

A perennial back-up, at 26 Naughton needs the opportunity to establish himself as a first-choice. Lennon's need for a fresh start comes from a different angle.

Just about a nailed-on starter throughout the last decade's top-four chases and European adventures, things have changed in 2014-15.

Following on from the dip his performances suffered late last season, Lennon's early work in this campaign was, at best, flat. Although it had been evident for months that his pace had diminished, he was still quicker than most. Given he had also proved himself an intelligent, resilient wide-man over the years, the general lack of inspiration was perplexing.

Brought on as a substitute at Hull City in November, the former England international appeared reinvigorated. He parlayed this contribution to the turnaround win into starts in subsequent home games versus Partizan Belgrade and Everton.

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The latter saw Lennon's best display of 2014. He and makeshift right-back Vlad Chiriches got the better of Everton's left-sided pair Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas. Buoyed by his defensive effort, Lennon was on hand to set up Roberto Soldado's winner in the 2-1 win.

A full-blown resurgence was tempered by a less successful showing in the loss to Chelsea and his being dropped for the draw against Crystal Palace. Still, Lennon had the right to be encouraged. His directness was certainly missed in a meandering afternoon's work against the resolute Eagles.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has since dashed those hopes. Prior to Wednesday's Capital One Cup semi-final with Sheffield United, Lennon had not played since the December 11 loss to Besiktas. In the 10 matches since then, he had only been selected as a substitute once, for Palace away.

The Argentinian has not been wrong in his preference for using Erik Lamela and Andros Townsend outright. The young attacking midfielders have repaid his faith with productive performances during a positive month-and-a-half for Spurs.

The reasons for Pochettino's rotation during this busy time just about completely bypassing Lennon are unclear, though. It was certainly not anticipated after the player's return to form heading into December.

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There might still be scope for Lennon to be involved again this season. But even if there is, it is unlikely to be satisfactory for a player used to more.

The picture of the Tottenham first team is changing again, and for the first real time in his stay, the Yorkshireman is firmly in the background.

"I’m still 27 and I’ll be 28 in April, so there’s still some petrol in the tank!" remarked Lennon on the occasion of his 400th career appearance in November, per Spurs' official website.

Despite the doubts which arose during his below-average 2014, those aforementioned latter appearances proved this is still a footballer capable of contributing in the Premier League. His longevity makes him seem older, but as he noted, he is some way off contemplating dropping down a level.

The swap deal with Everton's Mirallas speculated above could prove too complicated for a January agreement (despite a contentious night in Monday's draw with West Browmich Albion, the Belgian will not be swiftly disposed of by the Merseyside club).

A straight sale to the Toffees or another top-flight side in need of an injection of speed and hard-earned attacking nous might be more doable. Given his status at Spurs, there are unlikely to be many other good, proven attacking midfielders available midway through the season.

In the right situation, Lennon can hit the ground running and start a new chapter in his career. If he does not, he could find that yet more time has flown by. In a professional football life, those minutes are too precious to be forsaken without a fight.

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