JORDAN HENDERSON undertook a seven-hour journey covering 400 miles in a minibus to rally behind England during their Euro 2024 final defeat in Berlin, having been overlooked by Gareth Southgate.
Now, the Ajax midfielder, humorously dubbing himself Van Henderson for the arduous trip with his family, is concentrating on qualifying for next year’s World Cup under new coach Thomas Tuchel.
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The former Liverpool captain marked his highly anticipated return to international duty after a 16-month hiatus, featuring briefly in the recent 2-0 qualifying match victory over Albania at Wembley.
Tuchel emphasized that Henderson’s wealth of experience throughout the qualifiers will be crucial, and his commitment to the England squad is evident.
His dedication was showcased by the rapid journey from pre-season training in Amsterdam to Berlin to support the team during their 2-1 defeat to Spain in July.
Though he participated in six Euro qualifiers under Southgate, the 34-year-old Henderson was excluded from the squad following his controversial transfer to Saudi Arabia.
When asked about attending the match at the Olympic Stadium, Henderson commented: “I wasn’t certain until late if I could go because of training obligations.
“But once I confirmed I could attend, I found no available flights. I couldn’t depart from either England or Amsterdam.
“So, I assessed the distance and rented a van for my family and kids. The total journey took seven hours.
“I felt connected to the qualifying path, having been involved in every squad leading up to the Euros.
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“It was tough watching from home — I only hoped for the lads to do well and succeed.
“It’s disappointing that it didn’t end positively, but I’m grateful to have witnessed the match live. I felt a strong desire to be there.”
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Fans were surprised to see the Henderson family at various service stations during their road trip to Germany.
He stated, “During our bathroom breaks or quick stops, it was amusing connecting with the fans.
“It was enjoyable to interact with them, although I would have preferred to be with the team.”
The seasoned midfielder has had an impressive season at Ajax, aside from a brief period in January when the club considered selling him to Monaco to reduce salary expenses.
Furthermore, he has made a notable impact off the field, helping the club secure a six-point lead in the Eredivisie.
While Henderson’s return drew mixed responses from some England fans, Tuchel’s decision has proven shrewd, as the squad lacked guidance in Germany.
Did Henderson ever fear that his international career might be over? He replied: “Not really; if that were the case, I would have called it a day.
“I felt down last summer, but I believe I’m in good shape and never intended to shut that door. Deep down, I’ve always wished to make a comeback.”
“Whether or not I received another opportunity was beyond my control, but thankfully I stayed focused, worked diligently, and achieved what I needed.
“I’ve had a solid season with Ajax, and I’m grateful to have been given the chance to return.
“From my debut until now, my dedication to England has been clear.
“I’ve always aimed to deliver my best each time I’m called upon — and that won’t change.
“Experience is crucial on the pitch, but it’s just as vital to integrate younger players. Our squad reflects this ethos.”
Tuchel has indicated that communication was a significant issue for the England squad during their time in Germany.
As Liverpool players can affirm, Henderson excels in on-field communication.
As he anticipates his 83rd cap against Latvia at Wembley on Monday, he noted: “It’s not solely one player’s role to communicate.
“We need five or six players communicating effectively throughout the match. The more voices, the better.”
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