Jordan Henderson is one of Thomas Tuchel’s ‘untouchables’. And the veteran midfielder is already proving that he didn’t just come into the World Cup as some kind of glorified cheerleader.
Henderson’s 36th birthday is June 17th, which coincidentally is the day England play Croatia in Group L. This makes him by far the oldest member of Tuchel’s 26-man squad, and his experience, quality and leadership are crucial within the group.
Tuchel spoke about the different classifications of players after England’s win over New Zealand. 14 starters, untouchables, and leaders. Henderson will definitely be in the latter two, even if he doesn’t start every game.
But Henderson also proved he can offer something on the pitch in England’s first friendly against New Zealand.
Brentford midfielder Henderson was England’s standout player in the first half and, although he failed to convert any chances, his pass created a great chance for Ollie Watkins.
But Henderson was good on the ball, his passing was great, he just controlled the game and read the game. He could easily score another point in next Wednesday’s friendly against Costa Rica.
I’m sure the player has something to offer on the pitch during the competition and I personally feel he could get more playing time than many England fans would expect.
After the game against New Zealand, Henderson looked completely shattered, no wonder the temperature was over 32 degrees, but he also looked sharp, healthy and ready during the match.
Henderson is an influential figure within England’s World Cup squad.
It must be remembered that Tuchel believed in Henderson from day one. Tuchel shocked everyone by calling up Henderson to the first team in March 2025.
Tuchel described Henderson as a “serial winner” and the “glue” that holds the team together. That’s the story about this.
England’s coach Tuchel is obsessed with good tourists and has a “brotherly love” and a good personality. Henderson is the epitome of all of that.
Former Liverpool hero Henderson was not selected in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad, and the reality is that the former England manager regrets that decision.
He brought in a lot of new young players. They didn’t know about Southgate and the mix wasn’t always right. They lacked connection. They didn’t have Henderson.
Henderson showed he still has a lot to offer in the win against New Zealand
Henderson has often been cast as the “watcher” who keeps Jude Bellingham in check. This is pretty condescending to both players, but one thing is for sure: Bellingham really respects Henderson. It’s easy to see why.
When the FA looked at the numbers, research found that 21 out of 26 players generally play. The remaining five players will not be given playing time (including the two reserve keepers).
Therefore, players from the team cannot spoil the atmosphere by walking around the field. That’s why Henderson’s role is so important. And Dan Byrne. They offer something on the pitch, but off the pitch they are not troublemakers.
Henderson’s career took a downturn when he moved to the Saudi Professional League, leaving Ajax a disappointment. But he excelled at Brentford as both a player and a leader. Injuries interrupted the second half of the season, but perhaps that at least means he’s fresh.
He is also passionate about team spirit, togetherness and making dreams come true. But he insists he never gave up on playing for a fourth World Cup.
“It’s about being in this together. We’re all here for a reason, and we strive to do that every day by individually and collectively becoming the best versions of ourselves and achieving all of our dreams,” Henderson said.
“I don’t like to look too far ahead. I always try to focus on the here and now and not look too far into the future.
“The last few years have been a roller coaster to say the least, but I have worked hard over the last few years to get into this position.
“I’m looking forward to it. There’s no bigger tournament than the World Cup. It’s just about arriving and doing our best to make our country proud. To do that, we need to be ourselves.”
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