Former Liverpool Teammate Claims Jordan Henderson Put England Future at Risk with Saudi Arabia Transfer

Jordan Henderson’s recent move to Saudi Arabia has ignited a heated debate about the impact on his international career. The 33-year-old midfielder bid farewell to Liverpool, his club of over a decade, to join the Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, where he would be reunited with former Liverpool teammate and captain Steven Gerrard. The transfer saw Liverpool pocket a £12 million fee, marking the end of Henderson’s remarkable 12-year stint with the Reds, during which he notched up 33 goals in nearly 500 appearances and secured an impressive collection of silverware, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.

Henderson’s move, however, has stirred controversy, particularly due to Saudi Arabia’s strict stance on homosexuality, which is considered a crime punishable by death. This situation stands in stark contrast to Henderson’s previous public support for the LGBTQ+ community during his time at Anfield.

While Henderson continues to be called up for the England squad by manager Gareth Southgate, having recently earned his 78th cap during a Euro 2024 qualifying match against Ukraine, concerns linger about his future as an England international. With no longer competing in the Premier League or top European divisions, questions arise about how long Southgate will consider Henderson a vital part of his plans and a regular starter for the national team.

Joe Cole, who was Henderson’s teammate during his stint at Liverpool from 2010 to 2013, believes that the midfielder has put his England career “in jeopardy” following his transfer to Saudi Arabia. Speaking as a pundit on Channel 4, Cole said, “From a footballing perspective, I can understand why it puts Gareth in a difficult position. When you’re competing with the players Henderson is competing with – Rice, Bellingham, Ward-Prowse, Phillips – they are all playing in the Champions League [and Europa League]. Is he going to be as sharp as he was? You have to remember the margins that England went out with against France at the last World Cup. You have to be so sharp, every player on the pitch. Henderson will know he’s put his England future in jeopardy.”

As Jordan Henderson embarks on this new chapter in his career, the footballing world watches closely to see how this move to Saudi Arabia will impact his standing in the England national team and his ability to continue contributing at the highest level of international football.