Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC
The addition of Jordan Henderson has been made by Chelsea to help add much-needed experience to the squad, however he could also solve another problem which plagued them last season.
Henderson has instantly become the oldest player in the first team squad at Stamford Bridge, and alongside Danny Welbeck brings experience playing at the top level, and in hostile environments to the youthful Chelsea squad.
Xabi Alonso has been backed with these signings, after numerous managers who came before him were crying out for elder statesmen to be alongside the exciting young stars they had at their disposal.
Chelsea player ratings vs Juventus
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Jordan Henderson can help solve Chelsea’s discipline issues
There are more issues than just a lack of experience though. The Blues consistently shot themselves in the foot with red cards last season.
Chelsea players picked up 10 red cards in all competitions last season, although were hardly helped by manager Enzo Maresca, who picked up one himself for his celebrations against Liverpool.
Chelsea Unveil New Signing Jordan Henderson
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC
Henderson will be tasked with bringing leadership to the side, although he can also a boast a very strong disciplinary record which will set an example to his new teammates.
In more than 400 Premier League games, he has picked up just two red cards, with the last one being in 2018 for Liverpool against Watford.
Split image - Chelsea unveil new signing Jordan Henderson and Granit Xhaka of Sunderland applauds
Split image - Chelsea unveil new signing Jordan Henderson and Granit Xhaka of Sunderland applauds
Red cards cost Chelsea dearly last season
Chelsea picked up some sending offs which clearly threw away points. Robert Sanchez’s red card against Manchester United left them playing with 10 men for 85 minutes in a 2-1 defeat.
Trevoh Chalobah was also sent off with the Blues 1-0 up against Brighton, for them to go on and lose the game 3-1.
These were all moments which contributed towards Chelsea’s 10th-placed finish in the league last season, a position supporters will not accept them finishing in again.
Alonso is under pressure to deliver a return to top-level European football, and the role of Henderson is going to be crucial in reaching this target,