As a top-flight Premier League club rich in history, Tottenham Hotspur have had many legends and cult heroes over the decades.
From icons of yesteryear like Jimmy Greaves to more recent heroes like Harry Kane, there have been many Spurs players who have thrilled fans of different generations.
The late 2000s and early 2010s saw a number of players who ‘the streets won’t forget’ plying their trade at Tottenham.
Rio Ferdinand has now named a player who played for Spurs between 2005 and 2015 as his ‘speed’ pick in terms of putting together his ultimate Champions League footballer.
Rio Ferdinand hails Aaron Lennon’s ‘mad pace’
The player in question is Aaron Lennon, who spent a decade on Tottenham’s books and made over 360 appearances for Spurs.
Ferdinand said his ultimate Champions League footballer – composed of former teammates – would have Lennon’s “mad pace”.
| Player | |
| Football IQ | Paul Scholes |
| Speed | Aaron Lennon |
| Strength | Antonio Valencia |
| Left foot | Ryan Giggs |
| Right foot | Wayne Rooney |
“Your ultimate current Champions League player,” Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents. “I’m talking right foot, left foot, speed, strength, skill, brains and IQ.
“IQ – Paul Scholes. Speed – would have to be Aaron Lennon, mad pace.
“Strength – Antonio Valencia. I remember him, he was strong, man. Skill – Cristiano (Ronaldo) obviously, the skill was just nuts.
“Left foot, I’m going Ryan Giggs, beautiful left foot. Right foot – I’m going (Wayne) Rooney.”
Aaron Lennon’s Tottenham career and what he’s doing now
Lennon joined Tottenham in June 2005 as they paid Leeds United around £1million for his services.
On 24 February 2008, Lennon won his first major career honour as Tottenham beat Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup Final.
Lennon was also part of the Spurs team that reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2010/11.
The 21-cap England international spent the second half of the 2014/15 season on loan at Everton.
Lennon briefly returned to Tottenham that summer but then moved to Goodison Park permanently for £4.5million.
All in all, Lennon made 364 competitive appearances for Spurs, registering 30 goals and 76 assists.
Lennon, who retired from playing professional football in 2022, is now pursuing a career in coaching. Last season, he worked with Leeds’ Under-18s.
He is also involved in punditry and football events.
Lennon often covers Tottenham, recently speaking about Spurs defender Ben Davies and how he looks suited to becoming a manager one day.
