EXCLUSIVE: When Jordan Henderson's transfer to Chelsea was secured, many considered it to be one of the most surprising signings of the summer
Danny Welbeck & Jordan Henderson of Chelsea watch on from the stands during the Pre Season Friendly match between Chelsea v Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge Stadium, London on 15 August.
Jordan Henderson is still getting used to life at Chelsea(Image: Alex Ferrelly/Crystal Pix/Sports Press Photo/Shutterstock)
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If anybody understands how Jordan Henderson feels moving to Chelsea at the age of 36, it's Gary McAllister. In 2000, a 35-year-old McAllister sealed a transfer from Coventry City to Liverpool.
The football world was left scratching their heads. Steven Gerrard was reportedly furious. McAllister was a wise head and a battle-hardened football veteran, but his prime years were well behind him.
But his experience and nous was impactful. Liverpool went on to win the FA Cup, the UEFA Cup and the League Cup under Gerard Houllier. Twenty-six years later, Henderson is the golden oldie moving to Chelsea from Brentford, in what appears to be a bid to inject much needed experience and maturity into a team regularly accused of lacking both.
In an exclusive interview with Football.London while speaking on behalf of BOYLE Sports at the opening of its new Motherwell shop, McAllister said: "My signing was met by quite a few people going ‘Why are we getting on this road? We don't need an ageing midfield player, a baldy Scottish guy.’
"When I spoke to Gerard Houllier obviously he was putting towards me that you're not going to be playing every week, I knew that. But I was being brought in to try and help a fantastic young group of players.
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"Not just English players or British players, but there was Patrik Berger, Vladimir Smicer, who were not old. There was a lot of players there, Sami Hyypia was not old. So, just to try and help these guys get through Monday and Friday and show it.
"But I had to show that I could still run. Pre-season was massive in my head. I had to prove it. I don't think my teammates at Liverpool were questioning my ability, but it was could I still run?
Liverpool's Gary McAllister shares a joke with the fans during the FA Carling Premiership game against Charlton at The Valley, London today Saturday 19th May 2001
McAllister's move to Liverpool is similar to Henderson's transfer to Chelsea(Image: PA)
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"I'm sure that's something that Jordan will be showing the players at Chelsea in the last couple of three weeks that he's still capable of running up and down. And I think I gained respect for the fact that I was maybe in the top five or six in the pre-season."
McAllister arrived as an old first division winner with Leeds United, but Henderson's record is even more polished with a Premier League, a Champions League, two League Cups, an FA Cup and a Club World Cup triumph to his name.
Chelsea New Signing Jordan Henderson poses for photos at Chelsea Training Ground on August 03, 2026 in Cobham, England
Henderson arrived on a free transfer from Brentford(Image: Chelsea FC)
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McAllister believes his CV will be a huge advantage for Henderson, adding: "I think Jordan's very proud of his fitness levels. He keeps a keen eye alongside all the sports science guys at the club. So, the similarities are definitely there.
“But Jordan won more than I had won prior to going to another big club. I'd won the league at Leeds United and captained my country and stuff. But Jordan's been a champion. He's won the Champions League as well. So, great experience to take to any club. To sort of break ground.”
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