Pickford: Recalling ´leader´ Henderson a great move for England

Jordan Pickford believes it is a great move from Thomas Tuchel to recall one of England’s leaders in Jordan Henderson.

Tuchel announced his first England squad last Friday, ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

Henderson was something of a surprise inclusion, with the midfielder having fallen out of the national team picture since his move to Saudi Arabia and subsequent transfer to Ajax.

But Pickford thinks the 34-year-old can provide exactly the type of experience and leadership that this Three Lions squad requires.

“His desire to want to win and what he has won and achieved is driven by himself,” Pickford said.

“He’s a winner and a big leader. I think bringing Hendo back in is great for the squad.

“He was vice-captain for numerous years. He didn’t come to the last Euros but he was vice-captain in 2018 to Harry [Kane].

“I think someone like Hendo, it’s great. Having leaders in your group, the teams that have won have always had that experience in the side as well.

“I think it’s a great move for us to have someone like him in the squad. What he has done, how he is still driven – whether he plays or not he is going to be the leader on the training pitch.”

Henderson has played 81 times for England. Since he made his international debut in November 2010, only Harry Kane (103), Kyle Walker (93), John Stones (83) and Raheem Sterling (82) have won more caps for the Three Lions.

And Pickford feels having Henderson back in and around the squad can provide the kind of mentality that will help England, twice Euros finalists under Gareth Southgate, take the next step under Tuchel.

“We’ve been knocking on the door for a while now. We’ve been to two finals, a semi-final and a quarter-final,” he added.

“It’s about that next step now. We know what it takes to get there. It’s about what it takes to lift the trophy, and that is what the manager has come in to do,” Pickford said.

“We have got Dan Burn’s first call-up which is a great achievement for him. We have got Hendo with how many caps he has got.

“He has got that winning mentality, what he has won at Liverpool as a player and a captain.

“To have those leaders around the place, the more leaders you have in the team, I think the more success they will bring.

“They will drive training standards, they will drive standards around the place and make it a better camp for everybody.”

Asked if England missed Henderson in the final of Euro 2024, in which they went down 2-1 to Spain, Pickford replied: “Jord’s a great lad and respected by all the players and the staff.

“I don’t think we will ever know if he was a miss as we got to the final. This manager has brought Hendo in and I know how much of a leader he is, and how respected he is, so I think it’s only a good thing.”

Henderson has made 39 appearances in all competitions for Ajax this term.