Thomas Tuchel had no doubts about bringing the 34-year-old midfielder back into the squad, calling it a “simple” decision.
Jordan Henderson’s return to the England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers has come as a surprise to many. The 34-year-old midfielder, absent from the national team for an extended period, was recalled by head coach Thomas Tuchel, who explained his reasoning behind the decision. According to the England boss, it was an easy call to make.
Tuchel’s 26-man squad for the matches against Albania and Latvia, announced on Friday, featured a few surprises. But none grabbed attention quite like Henderson’s inclusion.
The veteran midfielder last played for England in November 2023. He was left out of former manager Gareth Southgate’s plans for Euro 2024, signaling what seemed like the end of his international career.
After spending over a decade at Liverpool, Henderson made a controversial move to Saudi club Al-Ittifaq in July 2023. However, his time there was short-lived, as he left just six months into his three-year contract, opting to join Ajax in January 2024.
Despite moving to the Dutch club, Henderson has struggled for regular minutes, starting in just two of their last nine matches. His England recall has been met with skepticism on social media, with many calling it “bizarre” and “questionable.” A BBC Sport poll revealed that 88% of respondents disagreed with Tuchel’s decision.
Naturally, the topic dominated Tuchel’s press conference. The former PSG, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich coach stood by his choice, making it clear why he wanted Henderson in his squad.
“It’s a very simple decision. First of all, Jordan is a winner. He is Ajax’s captain. What he brings to every team is leadership, mental resilience, personality, and energy.”
“He ensures that everyone meets his standards. He brings it all. We are trying to build a team that our supporters can be proud of and connect with. Jordan embodies everything we want from this squad.”
England will face Albania next Friday, followed by a match against Latvia three days later as they continue their World Cup qualification campaign.
