15 October 2023 , 21:30
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Jordan Henderson insists moving to Saudi Arabia will not cost him a place at next summer’s Euros.
Henderson will turn 34 three days after the tournament starts next June and has swapped the intensity of the Premier League for lesser football in the cash-rich Saudi Pro League.
He is the most experienced player in England’s squad but has taken a gamble on his international career especially as he is also facing a massive backlash from fans.
Former Liverpool captain Henderson was respected as one of England’s most powerful voices on LGBTQ rights ahead of the last World Cup and he had a strong connection with the fanbase. He also became a national hero for raising money and challenging politicians during lockdown.
But Henderson has not only put his playing career on the line by joining Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq but also his reputation and standing as a person.
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Henderson was pretty unrepentant as he spoke and addressed all of the issues put to him, especially on the back of being booed by the Wembley crowd on Friday night.
And there must be huge doubts over whether Henderson - who has been capped 79 times and gone to six major tournaments with England - will be playing a good enough standard of football to retain his place for next summer’s Euros.
Henderson said: “I'm playing in that league now and I'm still here, still playing. So I had conversations before with the England manager, what I thought was the right move for me at that time with everything that was going on at Liverpool as well.
Henderson with Gareth Southgate after being substituted against Australia (The FA via Getty Images)“So it was a big decision, but one where I felt as though I could still be playing regularly. But if you're talking about physical attributes, it isn’t a problem for me. The conditions out there are hard with the weather and humidity.
“I'm an experienced player, I know how to play football, you don't forget that when you just go out and play in a different league. So when I've been back here and when I've trained, when I've played games, I felt as good and as fit as ever really.”
Henderson admits that he has noticed a sharp difference between the Premier League and the standard of the Saudi Pro League which is seen as second-rate with low attendances. But he says he does not need to adapt when he joins up with England.
“Yeah, well, of course, but I'm used to that with these England players,” he said. “I've been playing with these players for a long time now. So when I come in and train with them, of course, the level goes up but I feel normal and it's the same for me.
The ex-Liverpool skipper moved to Saudi Arabia in the summer (Francois Nel/Getty Images)“I mean physically, I don't think it's an issue. I mean, look at my numbers physically and my output in a game, whether that's in Saudi, whether that's here for England, I don't see that as an issue.
“That's why I want to keep on playing as long as I possibly can for England because it means a lot to me and always has done. I also want to try and help the team become successful in games here but also in big tournaments and hopefully, I can keep performing, I can keep fit and then stay in the squad for the tournament next summer.”
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Henderson has also praised England boss Gareth Southgate for his unwavering support while he also reinforced his message - whether you agree with it or not - that his controversial move to Saudi Arabia has not changed him as a person.
He added: “Yeah, the gaffer has been really good as always, to be honest, I've always felt support and backing from him and the rest of the lads to be fair. But that’s always been the case. That’s never been in doubt.
“But as I keep on saying, it doesn’t change the person that I am. I’m playing football in a different country in Saudi where I want to try to improve the game on the pitch but also things off the pitch as well.”