Home Sports Jordan Henderson proved why he would still be a valuable member of England’s squad at Euro 2024 in his first game against Premier League opposition since leaving Liverpool, writes TOM COLLOMOSSE

Jordan Henderson proved why he would still be a valuable member of England’s squad at Euro 2024 in his first game against Premier League opposition since leaving Liverpool, writes TOM COLLOMOSSE

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Jordan Henderson showed he can still be a valuable asset for England in Ajax's draw against Aston Villa
  • Jordan Henderson shone as Ajax held Aston Villa 0-0 in the Europa League
  • The 33-year-old still has plenty to offer Gareth Southgate’s England at Euro 2024
  • Arsenal are teasing us, they are showing that they don’t need a number 9 and Kai Havertz has become Mikel Arteta’s go-to man. everything is beginning podcast

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Jordan Henderson is confident he still has plenty to offer England at Euro 2024 and in his first game against Premier League opposition since leaving Liverpool he showed exactly why.

The former England captain’s place in Gareth Southgate’s team has become a topic of intense debate since his departure from Anfield, not least his disastrous move to Saudi club Al-Ettifaq, where he spent just six months.

If Henderson no longer works in one of the top five European leagues, it is argued, how can he deserve his place above the midfielders who play every week in the English top flight, regularly labeled the best competition in the world?

However, with his performance for Ajax against Aston Villa on Thursday, Henderson showed that he would continue to be a valuable member of the England squad in Germany. He no longer has the physical power or athleticism to start against England’s main rivals, but a close study of his performance against Villa showed his enduring qualities.

For 90 minutes, Henderson did not shut up. Barking instructions to Kenneth Taylor to make sure he kept his position when Villa had the ball. Praising Jorrel Hato after the promising 18-year-old center back advanced from defense to play a glorious pass to Brian Brobbey.

Jordan Henderson showed he can still be a valuable asset for England in Ajax's draw against Aston Villa

Jordan Henderson showed he can still be a valuable asset for England in Ajax’s draw against Aston Villa

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Urging Brobbey to keep it up after the striker blew his chance to give Ajax a first-half lead. Taking the ball in difficult positions and keeping Ajax moving. Talking, talking, talking.

“He is a true professional,” said Ajax coach John van ‘t Schip. “He is a leader, as you can see on the field. The boys feel it and accept it too, so he helps the team a lot in that sense.

“He had a difficult start because he came from Saudi Arabia and didn’t play for a month and of course he wasn’t happy. He immediately rediscovered the joy of training and playing, but he had a bit of bad luck in the first games he played here.

“We didn’t get the results I wanted, but now you can see that it is very important, not only on the field but also off it.” He talks about things that can improve the entire environment and also guides the players.

The 33-year-old's leadership qualities were on display as he captained the Dutch team.

The 33-year-old's leadership qualities were on display as he captained the Dutch team.

The 33-year-old’s leadership qualities were on display as he captained the Dutch team.

“If you saw his performance against Villa and how he played against PSV Eindhoven, which were two really important games, for sure (he can still do a job for England). Southgate knows very well what he can get from Jordan.”

Van ‘t Schip’s are worth listening to. In the 1990 World Cup, he was part of the Dutch team that included Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Ronald Koeman. Four world-class players on one team should be almost a guarantee of success, but the Netherlands stunk and were eliminated without winning a game. Sometimes talent alone is not enough.

It took Henderson just six months and 17 games for Al-Ettifaq, where he was earning £700,000 a week, to understand that all the money in the world could not replace European football. He joined Ajax not only to get back into the England frame, but also to feel alive again.

Ajax manager John van 't Schip praised Henderson's impact since his arrival at the club in January

Ajax manager John van 't Schip praised Henderson's impact since his arrival at the club in January

Ajax manager John van ‘t Schip praised Henderson’s impact since his arrival at the club in January

Gareth Southgate is well aware of how important it can be to have figures like Henderson in the dressing room at a major tournament.

Gareth Southgate is well aware of how important it can be to have figures like Henderson in the dressing room at a major tournament.

Gareth Southgate is well aware of how important it can be to have figures like Henderson in the dressing room at a major tournament.

A key point here is that most of England’s opponents are not at the level of the top Premier League teams. I wouldn’t back Serbia, Denmark or Slovenia (England’s group teams in Germany) to finish in the Champions League places. Henderson should be able to cut it down against those teams if called upon.

Then you remember the weight Southgate places on team harmony. Conor Coady did not play a single minute at Euro 2020 three years ago, but he earned widespread praise for his attitude and application when England reached the final but were beaten on penalties by Italy. Henderson would offer that and more.

Every successful team contains characters like Henderson. Even if he doesn’t feature in Southgate’s squad next week, he deserves his place in Germany this summer.

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