Jordan Pickford is fully behind Thomas Tuchel’s decision to recall Jordan Henderson to the England squad, describing the choice as ‘only an excellent thing’.
Henderson has not played for the Three Lions since November 2023 when he was at Saudi side Al-Ettifaq.
His stint within the Saudi Pro League was a brief one and he moved to Ajax in January 2024, since making 51appearances for the Dutch giants and captaining the side.
Now 34 years old, and turning 35 in June, it appeared Henderson’s international profession was at an end but he was something of a surprise inclusion in Tuchel’s first England squad this month.
Pickford, who has been a long-time international teammate of the Ajax midfielder, thinks it’s an excellent decision and feels the veteran brings beneficial leadership qualities to the squad.
‘His desire to need to win and what he has won and achieved is driven by himself,’ Pickford said of the previous Liverpool man. ‘He’s a winner and a giant leader. I feel bringing Hendo back in is great for the squad.
‘He was vice-captain for various years. He didn’t come to the last Euros but he was vice-captain in 2018 to Harry [Kane].
‘I feel someone like Hendo, it’s great. Having leaders in your group, the teams which have won have at all times had that have within the side as well.
‘I feel it’s an amazing move for us to have someone like him within the squad. What he has done, how he remains to be driven – whether he plays or not he’s going to be the leader on the training pitch.’
He added on Henderson not being involved in Euro 2024 when England lost in the ultimate to Spain: ‘Jords is an amazing lad and revered by all of the players and the staff.
‘I don’t think we are going to ever know if he was a miss as we got to the ultimate. This manager has brought Hendo in and I understand how much of a frontrunner he’s, and the way respected he’s, so I feel it’s only an excellent thing.’
Pickford has also hailed the inclusion of Newcastle defender Dan Burn in Tuchel’s first squad, saying the 32-year-old also brings leadership qualities to the table.
‘It’s about that next step now. We all know what it takes to get there. It’s about what it takes to lift the trophy, and that’s what the manager has are available in to do,’ Pickford said.
‘We’ve got Dan Burn’s first call-up which is an amazing achievement for him. We’ve got Hendo with what number of 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 across the place, the more leaders you’ve gotten within the team I feel the more success they may bring.
‘They are going to drive training standards, they may drive standards across the place and make it a greater camp for everyone.’
On Henderson’s inclusion, Tuchel explained: ‘Jordan is a serial winner. He’s captain of Ajax. What he brings to each team is leadership, character, energy and personality.
‘He makes sure everyone lives by the standards. He embodies every thing we try to construct. We would like to construct a team our fans are happy with.’
England host Albania in World Cup qualifying at Wembley on Friday evening in Tuchel’s first game in charge.
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