Former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson has spoken about his first interaction with former boss Roy Keane.
Sunderland have had several top players come through their academy, with the likes of Chris Rigg and Tommy Watson the latest stars to emerge on Wearside.
Looking at the players that have emerged from Sunderland’s academy, not many have quite achieved the levels of Jordan Henderson. The former England captain has shone in life post-Wearside, notching 81 caps for his country, including 37 alongside former Sunderland star Jordan Pickford.
It is clear that former Sunderland midfielder Henderson looks fondly back on his time on Wearside, and one interaction with former coach Roy Keane whilst he was in the academy certainly appears to stick out in his memory.
Former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson on first interaction with Roy Keane
Henderson was part of the Sunderland youth set-up from 1998 up until his introduction to the first team ten years later in 2008.
November 1st saw him introduced in the Premier League against Chelsea coming on at half-time with his side 3-0 down at the interval.
It was former boss Keane that handed Henderson his highly-anticipated debut, also handing Martyn Waghorn his first game vs Chelsea on that day as well.
Henderson has since outlined his first interaction with the former Black Cats boss, one that left an everlasting effect on the Irishman who was destined to give the midfielder his debut after this chat.
Per Sunderland Echo, Henderson said: “It was intense, while we were on a coach, our coach has come to us and said “Everybody’s got to go into the training ground when we get there because the gaffer’s coming in, Roy, to see yous.” Everyone’s face just went white, I must’ve been 18.
“And like he literally goes around everyone individually like. I think somebody had just signed and said “We’ve just paid whatever for you and who do you think you are?” Going around talking about the game, not good enough, and basically went round, it was heated. Gets to me and he looks at us and says “Do you think you can play on the first team?” And I don’t know how or why and my response was just like “Yeah” and he went “Good. The staff said you were the only one running around” or something along those lines.”
Jordan Henderson attitude was crucial in his career trajectory
There is no doubt that Henderson is one of the most complete and brilliant footballers to emerge from Sunderland’s academy set-up, but in hindsight, it is still a surprise to see exactly what he has achieved in his career.
England captaincy, European champion, Premier League title, Henderson has left very few stones unturned in his career, and in his current swan song, where he finds himself playing for Ajax at 34, he can look fondly on his career.
The one thing that certainly propelled Henderson forward in his career was his attitude above all else, one of the reasons as to why he was marked to be Liverpool and England’s captain during the most successful recent years for each.
It is clear that, from his minor interaction with Keane, he had that attitude from day one, and that was crucial in him earning that first appearance in the Premier League with the Black Cats.