Jordan Henderson left frustrated by Premier League transfer – ‘Not ideal’

Jordan Henderson’s is continuing to endure a difficult time at Ajax, with the former Liverpool captain now hitting out at the Dutch club’s higher-ups for their transfer strategy

Jordan Henderson has hit out at Ajax’s summer transfer strategy after a draw with Go Ahead Eagles left them sitting ninth in the Eredivisie.

The Dutch giants have endured a difficult start to life under new boss Francesco Farioli, who was appointed in the summer. Farioli has won just two league games since arriving, with Ajax already 11 points adrift of leaders PSV Eindhoven.

Their issues were made clear to see once again on Saturday as they travelled to Go Ahead Eagles. The hosts sit a place below Ajax but were the better team right from the off as the first-half ended goalless.

Having hit the crossbar, Eagles finally went ahead when Enric Llansana scored just after the hour mark. Fortunately for Ajax, former Everton flop Davy Klassen then came off the bench to equalise.

Ajax handed a first start to summer signing Wout Weghorst, but registered just three shots on target in Deventer. And Henderson was quick to point to Ajax’s summer business as the reason for their issues.

The former England midfielder singled out the decisions to sell Carlos Forbs to Premier League side Wolves and Steve Bergwijn to Al-Ittihad in particular. Both deals came late in the window, with Henderson admitting Ajax are missing them.

“They are two great players. Every team would have missed them, of course. But we still have other players, who are also good. Players who can create chances and are especially dangerous in the final third,” he said.

“We managed to do that against Fortuna, but not tonight. Hopefully we learn from it. It’s also not ideal to lose one or two of your wingers on the final day of the transfer market. We have lost quality.

“But with the guys who played today, it was possible. We have to help them get into one-on-one situations, but they didn’t bring anything. It’s not just the wingers, but it has to be better.”

Forbs joined Wolves on a loan deal containing an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. One of those conditions is the attacker being handed 10 starts this season by boss Gary O’Neil.

So far, he has only made two substitute appearances for the Premier League side, though he did only join up with his new squad after the recent internation break. And O’Neil is confident he will soo begin to show his potenttial.

O’Neil said: “We finally got to introduce him to the group today and he’s an exciting young player. He has bundles of potential. He has good pedigree, has blistering pace and can play on both sides of the pitch.”

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