Space must be tight on the last few pages of Aaron Lennon’s wellness journal. Every evening the Burnley winger details his day: how he felt, what he has to be thankful for.
It is one way Lennon copes following a downward spiral of depression that led him to a ‘terrible, dark place’. In 2017, he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
Since then, writing, podcasts, meditation and self-help books have helped clear the fog in Lennon’s mind. And this past week has given him — and Burnley — plenty to be grateful for.
Aaron Lennon is coming in to form at just the right time as Burnley fight to avoid relegation
Three games ago, they sat bottom — seven points from safety. This draw took them one point off Everton in 17th. Lennon has been key to Burnley’s revival.
He netted in victory at Brighton, he helped Burnley down Tottenham, he then created their equaliser here — firing in a low cross from which Luka Milivojevic scored an own goal.
‘Aaron was terrific again. He is enjoying his football,’ said Burnley boss Sean Dyche. ‘He is getting his rewards for looking after himself all these years because he is a top pro delivering very good performances.’
The winger created Burnley’s equaliser against Crystal Palace after scoring against Brighton
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Rolling back the years, even? ‘I don’t know about that because he has been good since he has been here,’ replied Dyche about the winger who first joined Burnley in 2018.
‘But he is applying himself to the challenge right in front of us. He is the fastest player at the club, he is driving at players and he has got back to that edge of going forwards more… he is forever honest. Defensively, he does a marvellous job.’
Lennon came close with an early effort before Burnley fell behind to Jeffrey Schlupp’s opener and spent most of the first half on the back foot. After Milivojevic’s own goal, the visitors pressed for an unlikely win.
Sean Dyche described Lennon as ‘terrific’ and ‘a top pro delivering very good performances’
Lennon has racked up more than 400 Premier League appearances over 19 years. But there was a time when he didn’t want to get out of bed.
Now, he has no immediate plans to retire. Instead, at 34, Lennon is edging back towards his best in the nick of time. Rather like Burnley this season.
‘There should be a great value in turning things around,’ said Dyche recently. ‘Aaron looks like a player who is thriving on that.’
Source: Daily Mail
