Jordan Henderson may have left Sunderland more than 13 years ago now, but the Mackems icon is heavily linked with a move back to the Stadium of Light.
Over the years, Sunderland have turned a tidy profit by selling some of their best young players, from Jordan Henderson and Jordan Pickford, the more recently, Jack Clarke.
Now, Regis Le Bris has a squad full of exciting Sunderland academy stars who could be set for big moves in the future.
But, Le Bris could end up with Henderson among his ranks at Sunderland, though fans shouldn’t get too excited about that just yet.
Jordan Henderson isn’t ready to leave Ajax yet
As the rumours continue to swirl surrounding Henderson’s future, the man himself has spoken on the matter (via the Sunderland Echo) and appears to have quashed the idea of a return to Wearside, for now at least.
“It’s my club, ever since I was a boy of six or seven years old. Then I was in the stands,” Henderson said. “But I just hope I stay here [at Ajax]. I really like it here. I want to help the club to grow further.”
“We are also taking those steps,” he added. “But I also read [the stories about Sunderland return]. I don’t even know where all this comes from, because there has been no contact.”
With Ajax still firmly involved in the Europa League this season, and the Dutch giants fighting for the Eredivisie league title, it would seem odd for Henderson to consider leaving before the end of the season.
Still, we expect to see him working with the Sunderland squad again eventually…
Jordan Henderson will come back to Sunderland one day
With the likes of Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg emerging as superstars in the making at Sunderland, it would appear some Black Cats fans are wary of a Jordan Henderson reunion.
Whether there is a genuine place in Sunderland’s playing squad for a 34-year-old midfielder in such a talented, youthful midfield, that’s up for debate.
Henderson himself has spoken about moving into coaching eventually, though, and that could be the ideal reunion to suit all parties.
We know Sunderland want a new coach and someone who truly understands the DNA of the club would be perfect. In that respect, there can be few who would be better suited than Henderson.