Henderson proves worth as England’s ‘second captain’

On the Al Khor Coastal Road north of Doha, there were three things that happened last Friday to sum up just how crucial Jordan Henderson is to England.

First, he came on as a substitute against the United States at the Al Bayt Stadium to stabilise the team at a time when they were in danger of being overrun in their second group game. Lose and it would have been a crisis. Instead, Henderson helped see them over the line.

Afterwards, the midfielder spoke to the media, putting context on the result and calming nerves. “You’re going to have different challenges in front of you and it’s how you deal with them,” he calmly explained.

One of those challenges then presented itself. On the team bus back to England’s base, some of the players were upset with the media coverage around the match – with photographs published of their partners yawning (it was a 10pm kick-off) after the goalless draw.

The coverage was not remotely malicious or intrusive – it was meant in jest and a consequence of a relatively dull game. Henderson stepped forward and explained to his team-mates that although it might not be what they wanted to see, they had to look at the context of what happened and at the ultimate goal that remained: winning the World Cup.

It was understandable from both sides. England and the Football Association made their point and it was all dealt with maturely. England moved on. Henderson moves on. The 32-year-old may not be England’s captain but he is the “second captain”, after Harry Kane, and the pair complement each other perfectly.

Kane is less vocal but leads by example. Henderson commands the same level of respect and is equally present. With his appearance against the US, he became only the fourth England player to feature in six successive tournaments. Only Sol Campbell, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, whom Henderson succeeded as Liverpool captain, have done so before.

This is Henderson’s third World Cup and only 13 other England players have achieved that feat, while what has impressed Gareth Southgate is that he is so low-maintenance and professional. He wants to be part of this squad and accepts his role.

Henderson is also inclusive. During the last European Championship, there was concern that Jadon Sancho, perhaps being a little reserved, was not necessarily mixing fully with the rest of the squad. Henderson took it upon himself to seek out Sancho and did some sparring with boxing pads with the winger in the afternoons after training.

Similarly, Henderson has helped Jude Bellingham, even though the 19-year-old is a direct midfield rival. “He [Henderson] looks after Jude,” defender Conor Coady said. “I would say someone like Henderson and [Kyle] Walker set the example.”

When Henderson walks in the room he commands respect. He is, after all, the only player in the squad who has captained his club side to win the Champions League and Premier League.

He has matured also. Henderson used to be quite a cautious character when he spoke, but during the pandemic he was an eloquent and dignified spokesman for football and a positive voice in helping others, not least as a leader in the Premier League captains’ group.

Not that he is in the England squad because of that. He is valued hugely by Southgate. There was no doubt that despite wanting to continue to bring in younger players – only Walker is older – there was value in picking “Hendo”. If fit, he was always going to this World Cup and would play a part despite starting only half of Liverpool’s 22 games this season as Jurgen Klopp manages his minutes.

That was evident again against Wales when Henderson started – alongside Bellingham and Declan Rice – and even though the game was at the packed, 45,000-capacity Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, his voice could be heard barking orders to Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden.

Just how vocal Henderson is first became noticed when England played a behind-closed-doors match away to Croatia, who were being punished by Uefa, in 2018 and his voice boomed around the stadium. Then when Covid struck, and games were played without fans, he rivalled Coady as the loudest player in the Premier League.

“Hendo brings that intensity every time he plays,” Bellingham said. “He gives you the confidence to press on.” When Kane was substituted against Wales, Henderson took the armband. It was just another sign that this team have their second captain.