England midfielder Jordan Henderson is relishing every second of his time in Thomas Tuchel’s squad after being axed from the party which travelled to Euro 2024 last summer
Jordan Henderson wants to be the driving force behind England’s bid for World Cup glory – after taking an 800-mile round trip in a transit van to watch the final of Euro 2024.
Henderson, who will celebrate his 36th birthday when the tournament is being staged in Canada, Mexico and the USA next year, was a shock inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s first Three Lions squad for the qualifying double headers against Albania and Latvia.
He was devastated to be omitted from Gareth Southgate’s selection for the Euros in Germany 18 months ago after cutting short a lucrative contract in the Saudi Pro League to join Dutch giants Ajax in a bid to strengthen his claims.
Henderson was so desperate to be in on the action that he hired a van to drive his family from Amsterdam to Berlin – only to see England fall at the final hurdle. “I felt I’d played a part in the qualifying campaign because I was in every squad right up until the Euros,” said the former Liverpool midfielder.
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“I was watching on the telly and it was hard – but all I wanted was the lads to do well and win. I had a good feeling that we were going to win, so I needed to be there to see it.
“I didn’t know until late doors whether I could go because of training with Ajax. Then, when I found out I could go, there were no flights, so I looked at how far it was and hired a van for me and the family.
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“I think it was like six or seven hours. When we needed the toilet or popped into garages, it was quite funny to see some of the fans. Obviously I would have rather been with the team. But I just needed to be there. I wanted to be there. Unfortunately it didn’t work out.”
It has been a tough season for Henderson in Holland. Ajax are top of the Eredivisie, but the club was forced to get tough with the midfielder they had made their captain when his head was turned by a January offer from Monaco. Henderson refused to discuss the matter after being given a warm welcome by the Wembley fans when he came on as a substitute against Albania on Friday night.
But what has never been in question is his commitment to England. Henderson said: “I think everybody knows how much it means to me to play for my country, so to be back means an awful lot. I am very grateful for the opportunity.
“If I thought I wouldn’t play for England again I would have retired. Obviously I was disappointed about the Euros, but I still feel physically fit, still feel good, and I was never going to shut that door. Deep inside, I always wanted to come back. I kept my head down, kept working hard, kept doing the right things and I’ve had a good season this year with Ajax and thankfully I got the opportunity to come back.
“From my first cap up until now, anyone who sees me on the football pitch representing my country can see my commitment to England. I’ve always wanted to represent England, I’ve always wanted to give absolutely everything every time I’ve been here – and that will never change. I’m just delighted to be back.”
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