Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson simply has to start for England in their remaining World Cup games.
That’s the view of former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster. Speaking on his The Cycling GK YouTube channel, Foster said that, despite differing views, Henderson would still be in his XI.
“When Jordan Henderson starts, some people think ‘oh, bloody hell Jordan Henderson?’. I am not joking – I would rather have him starting ahead of most players in that midfield. I am not joking, he’s that captain that you need on the pitch,” insisted Foster.
“On the pitch, Jordan Henderson is the main man you know, he’s the guy that’s shouting and pointing and getting everybody going. He raises the tempo.”
Henderson shows his value to England
Although he wasn’t in the England side at the beginning of the tournament, Henderson may have now played his way into the team.
His performance against Wales wasn’t anything particularly special. But nevertheless, England looked a better, more coherent team with the Liverpool captain in the side.
As a result, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gareth Southgate stick him in again for the Senegal game tonight.
As Foster points out, that might not be such a popular decision. If Henderson is still good enough to start regularly for Liverpool though, he’s more than capable of doing a job for England.
Certainly, a midfield three of Henderson, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham looks a pretty good proposition. If things fall into place, it could even be a midfield that we one day see at Liverpool.
With two younger men next to him, the Liverpool skipper can be crucial in adding some much needed experience.
No other player in Southgate’s squad can boast winners’ medals for both the Champions League and Premier League. Neither Rice nor Bellingham have ever won either.
That doesn’t make Henderson an automatic starter, not at all. But he has the quality on the ball to match the tenacity and leadership he’s famed for. He may start this evening, he may not. The £20m man has certainly put himself in the conversation, though.
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