Alious Pickford Welcomes Henderson’s England Return Under Tuchel’s New Regime
Jordan Pickford has offered strong support for Jordan Henderson’s surprise England recall, highlighting the leadership qualities the former Liverpool captain brings to the national team setup.
Henderson’s return to the England fold comes after a period of transition in his club career. Following his departure from Liverpool, the midfielder spent six months in Saudi Arabia under Steven Gerrard before moving to Ajax in January—a decision partly motivated by his desire to maintain his England prospects ahead of Euro 2024.
Despite his efforts, Henderson missed selection for the tournament, where Gareth Southgate’s team reached the final without him. After initially struggling to adapt in the Netherlands, Henderson has now found his footing at Ajax and earned an unexpected call-up from new England manager Thomas Tuchel.
## Tuchel’s Selection Decisions
Tuchel has demonstrated his willingness to make bold selection choices, with Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah potentially in line for his first cap and Curtis Jones also included in the squad. However, Henderson’s recall has generated significant discussion, particularly given his age—he will be approaching 36 by the time the next World Cup arrives.
The decision has sparked debate about opportunities for younger talents, with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton among those overlooked. Despite this, Tuchel evidently values Henderson’s experience and leadership qualities—a sentiment echoed by Everton goalkeeper Pickford.
## Pickford’s Endorsement
“We have got Hendo with how many caps he has got,” Pickford stated. “He has got that winning mentality, what he has won at Liverpool as a player and a captain.”
The Everton goalkeeper emphasized the importance of leadership within the squad: “To have those leaders around the place, the more leaders you have in the team I think the more success they will bring. They will drive training standards, they will drive standards around the place and make it a better camp for everybody.”
## On-Field Contribution
While Henderson’s influence in the dressing room is widely acknowledged, questions remain about his on-field contribution. Roy Keane once famously questioned Henderson’s inclusion in the England setup, asking if he could “do card tricks” when his presence was justified by his positive impact on the squad.
However, with both Tuchel and fellow players like Pickford clearly valuing Henderson’s return, the midfielder will likely focus on proving his worth on the pitch rather than addressing external criticism as he embraces this unexpected opportunity with the national team.
Alious
