Sunderland are being linked with a sensational return for Jordan Henderson.
Jordan Henderson has endured a rocky last 12 months, after leaving Al-Ettifaq prematurely and joining Ajax, where he’s not getting all that much game time this season.
Recent reports have revealed that Henderson has interest from England ahead of the January transfer window, with Sunderland reportedly keen on a loan deal for the 34-year-old.
Former Sunderland academy man Henderson left for Liverpool in 2011, going on to win the Premier League and Champions League, whilst earning 81 caps for England.
Sunderland fans react to Jordan Henderson links
Needless to say, rumours linking Henderson with a return to the Stadium of Light have garnered a strong reaction from Black Cats fans.
And on the whole, they seem wary of Henderson returning; more so because it would impede the development of names like Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, as opposed to the money side of things.
“Sick of seeing this Henderson stuff,” one Sunderland fan posted. “I for one don’t want him back anyway now. He can’t even manage Dutch football so be no good to us in the Championship.”
Another comment read: “Given how ridiculously good Chris Rigg and Jobe have been, with Alan Browne looking great, Dan Neil with room to improve and Salis Abdul Samed yet to even feature, the idea of bringing back a past-his-prime and morally bankrupt Jordan Henderson makes zero sense at all.”
Similar posts from Sunderland fans read: “I wouldn’t be going for him at all like. He would just be limiting game time for players in an already stacked position,” and “Definitely not, wouldn’t fit our system, as much as I would love to say yes.”
Meanwhile, some think he’d be a good addition off the pitch, not necessarily on it, with comments such as, “Not on pitch no, but definitely off it,” and “Professionalism, in the dressing room and around the club it’s a no brainer. Not too sure long term it it works with the direction the club is trying to go down.”
Sunderland must focus on their current crop
Like some fans point out, Rigg, Bellingham, Neil, Browne, and Samed is a well-stocked central midfield department.
It’s brimming with quality, variety, and potential, and so adding Henderson into the mix just doesn’t seem to make sense.
Whilst he’d bring a huge degree of experience to the first-team, it wouldn’t be worth damaging the development of Bellingham or Rigg just to bring in Henderson, likely on massive wages although even if he does take a huge pay-cut to join.
The Black Cats return to action vs Hull City later this month.