Jordan Henderson’s Move to Al Ettifaq Will Not Affect His Place in the England Squad
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is set to make a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League. The 33-year-old midfielder has agreed to a £12 million ($15.4 million) deal and will earn close to £700,000 ($917,000) per week. However, despite this move, Henderson’s place in the England squad remains secure.
One of the key factors in Henderson agreeing to the move was ensuring that he would still be considered for England selection by head coach Gareth Southgate. In talks with the midfielder, Southgate confirmed that Henderson’s place in the squad will not be affected. Henderson has been a consistent presence in the England team under Southgate and has even captained the side on occasion. With 77 caps for his country since his senior debut in 2010, Henderson has featured in six major tournaments.
Henderson’s departure from Liverpool marks the end of a 12-year stint at the club. As captain since Steven Gerrard’s departure in 2015, Henderson has achieved great success with Liverpool, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and two League Cups. Last season, he played 43 times for Liverpool, making 23 starts in the Premier League as Jurgen Klopp’s side finished fifth.
While Henderson’s move to Al Ettifaq is significant, it does not come as a surprise given Liverpool’s recent midfield revamp. The club is looking to continue this revamp by making a second offer for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia. Their initial £37 million bid for the 19-year-old was rejected by the Championship club. Additionally, Liverpool had been prepared to see midfielder Fabinho depart for Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, but that move is now in jeopardy.
Liverpool has also shown interest in Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure, Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, and Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips. They have already secured the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai ahead of the upcoming season.
Overall, Henderson’s move to Al Ettifaq will not impact his place in the England squad. His consistent performances and leadership qualities have made him a valuable asset to the national team. While Liverpool will miss his presence on the field, they are actively working on strengthening their midfield with new signings. The summer transfer window promises to be an exciting time for both Henderson and Liverpool as they navigate these changes and prepare for the upcoming season.
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