Photo by Alexander Canillas/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Alexander Canillas/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Photo by Pedro Porru/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Pedro Porru/MB Media/Getty Images
But it isn’t the goals that Alonso should pick him for. Saturday was an anomaly; Henderson is not going to score regularly for Chelsea, and it would be no surprise if he didn’t score again for the Blues this season.
A graphic showing Jordan Henderson's match statistics (goals, assists, key passes and pass completion rate) against for Chelsea FC against Bournemouth. Image shows Jordan Henderson celebrating.
A graphic showing Jordan Henderson's match statistics (goals, assists, key passes and pass completion rate) against for Chelsea FC against Bournemouth. Image shows Jordan Henderson celebrating.
What Alonso should pick Henderson for is his commitment, his fitness, and the way he raises standards on the pitch. Morgan Rogers claimed Henderson is the fittest player in Chelsea’s current squad right now.
Despite his age, it might well be true, judging by the distances covered on Saturday. Henderson clocked up 11.9km, the biggest distance of any player – half a kilometre more than 2nd, left-back Pep Chavarria.
Not only is Henderson working his socks off, covering every blade of grass, but it inspires his Chelsea teammates to do the same. It helped Chelsea control Bournemouth and largely dominate the match.
Only the second time Chelsea have outrun an opponent
Work rate is a real issue for Chelsea, whether that be a lack of fitness or a lack of determination. Last season, Chelsea were outrun in 37 of 38 league games, finishing rock bottom in the league for distance.
However, this season, they are averaging around 8km more per match, at around 113km a game. They are 13th in the league on average, which is an enormous improvement on last season’s running stats.
On Saturday, Chelsea outran Bournemouth by 1.9km [115.4km v 113.5km]. It is no coincidence that with Henderson on the pitch, the entire Chelsea squad is working harder, and Alonso must pick him for that.
It was only the second time that Chelsea have run more than an opponent this season; in just six league games, they have already done so more than last term. Alonso deserves credit, as does Henderson.