Henderson makes Ajax admission after playing in front of tiny Saudi crowds

05 February 2024 , 11:35

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Jordan Henderson helped Ajax hold league leaders PSV to a draw

Jordan Henderson hailed the atmosphere at the Johan Cruyff Arena as he made his debut in Ajax's draw with PSV Eindhoven.

The rivalry is among the biggest in the Netherlands and Henderson helped the Amsterdam outfit battle to a 1-1 draw with the league leaders, who had won 18 of their 19 games heading into the weekend's clash. Ajax have got their season back on track after a terrible start to the campaign.

Dutch fans are known for their passionate nature and Henderson was taken aback by the atmosphere, despite being accustomed to playing with Liverpool at Anfield, which is another of Europe's special arenas.

He said: "The atmosphere was incredible. Obviously it was a special day for me and my family. To represent this football club for the first time. That was special. And to play in this stadium was really special."

Henderson is back in Europe after his controversial stint in Saudi Arabia ended prematurely. He and Al-Ettifaq agreed to terminate his contract last month which freed him up to move back with Ajax opting to secure his services.

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Whilst chiefs in Saudi are pouring huge sums into their domestic league, capturing some of the world's biggest names, not every club enjoys a massive following. Henderson had been playing in front of small crowds, the numbers you'd expect to see in Leagues One and Two.

One of the members in the Ajax crowd at the weekend was England boss Gareth Southgate, who continued to pick Henderson when he moved to the Middle East. Part of the motivation for the midfielder's return to Europe was to secure a spot in the Three Lions squad for the Euros this summer.

Gareth Southgate was among the spectators in Amsterdam (PA)

Rio Ferdinand was among those to criticise Southgate's trip to Amsterdam with a host of England players in action at home, including Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo, who is seen as an outside chance to make the squad.

He said on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube show : "Southgate ain’t bringing my man. Southgate was in Ajax, he was watching Henderson. He was at Ajax. I’ve got some mad stats. You’ve asked if Mainoo will have a chance of going to the Euros this year and obviously the England manager was in Holland watching Ajax watching Jordan Henderson play.

"But if you look at it, the other games that went on this weekend when the England manager was in Holland: there were 18 English players featuring in the Newcastle-Luton game. There were 12 in the Everton-Spurs game. There were 10 in the Brighton-Palace game and five in the Burnley-Fulham game. And then 12 in the Sheffield United-Aston Villa game. And there was one in Holland."

Samuel Meade