Chelsea transfer could give Jordan Henderson the one thing he said he didn’t want at Liverpool
Jordan Henderson is reportedly expected to join Chelsea in a massive U-turn from his earlier Liverpool comments
Jordan Henderson could be set for a shock move from Brentford to Chelsea(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Jordan Henderson’s potential move to Chelsea would contradict the one thing he said he didn’t want at Liverpool. The 36-year-old could be set for perhaps the most bizarre and unexpected twist in a career that has already seen some unusual developments since his Anfield exit.
Henderson’s sudden departure to Al-Ettifaq in 2023 wasn’t warmly received by the Reds faithful for several reasons. The questionable moral choice to relocate to Saudi Arabia, a nation where homosexuality is illegal and same-sex couples face serious discrimination, following years of advocating for the LGBT community left a sour taste.
But it was also the way in which Henderson left which disappointed fans. The club captain, who had become the first player to lift a league trophy in 30 years, leaving without a proper farewell in front of the fans didn’t seem appropriate.
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His departure was especially baffling, given he was so determined to fight for his place when confronted with the possibility of being sold under Brendan Rodgers. With a midfield overhaul underway under Jurgen Klopp, however, that same motivation appeared to be missing.
Henderson claimed shortly after his move to Saudi that he left Liverpool because he didn’t want to play a bit-part role despite his age. Yet, he could now be set for a move to Chelsea, which would directly contradict his supposed motivations for departing Liverpool in the first place, further distancing him from the Liverpool supporters.
“I’m at the latter stage of my career and I want to be happy playing football,” Henderson had said. “I want to play. I don’t want to be sitting on the bench and coming on for 10 minutes in games.”
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on Tuesday that Henderson’s move to Chelsea – a deal which seemingly came out of nowhere – is close to being completed. Chelsea’s reported pursuit of Henderson is curious, given the club has made a habit of flooding its squad with younger talent over the past few seasons.
New head coach Xabi Alonso clearly believes his squad is lacking some crucial experience, though bringing in a 36-year-old Henderson alongside a 35-year-old Danny Welbeck feels somewhat excessive. It is unlikely that Henderson, at his age, is being brought in for little other than to improve the dressing room and add professionalism.
He is not expected to feature much or have a sizeable impact on the pitch, given Chelsea’s aspirations of competing for silverware. He will likely spend the majority of his time on the bench, as opposed to Brentford, where he contributed heavily both on and off the pitch last season.
As such, his transfer, if it goes ahead, seems like even more of a peculiar move when considering what he insisted he didn’t want at Anfield.
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