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Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Winstanley and Stewart for Chelsea
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Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images
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Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Image of Bournemouth's Alex Scott looking off camera during a match against Liverpool, with a news overlay about him potentially being on sale in January
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Chelsea legend Thiago Silva leaves Porto and is now a free agent
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It is fair to say that Theo Walcott and Steven Gerrard feel that Jordan Henderson is being a little bit disrespected following his move to Chelsea in the summer.
Many felt that Henderson was only brought in to add some much-needed experience to Chelsea’s young dressing room. On the pitch, critics were not expecting much, with the midfielder now 36 years of age.
However, Henderson made a huge impact in Chelsea’s 5-1 win against Bournemouth over the weekend. The Englishman scored twice and managed to register an assist.
Since then, Gerrard has defended Henderson, claiming that he is more than a squad player and that it is disrespectful to label him as such because of the contribution the former Brentford man can still make. Walcott has echoed those thoughts.
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.
Credit: Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The ex-Arsenal star recently named Henderson as his player of the week and reminded everyone that he is still a “very good” footballer.
Speaking about the England international on his official TikTok, Walcott said: “Jordan Henderson, most experienced guy in that Chelsea dressing room in the Premier League, but as well, a lot of people forget he’s a really good player, and not just that, the connection’s growing with Cole Palmer. They’re having fun, and I think that’s great to see.”
If that Bournemouth game was anything to go by, then yes, Henderson is definitely more than a squad player!
His two goals will be two of the best you see at Stamford Bridge all season, but it is not just that. His overall performance was sharp and proves what Walcott and Gerrard have been saying.
For example, Henderson ran 11.9 km against Bournemouth. He covered more distance than any other player on the Stamford Bridge pitch that day. Clearly, this is a footballer who is far from finished.
Is Henderson going to start every game under Xabi Alonso? No, especially if the Blues go on to sign Alex Scott from Bournemouth in January.
Scott is keen to join Chelsea and Bournemouth are now willing to sell the 23-year-old in the winter transfer window. However, a lot could depend on the Cherries’ final asking price and rival interest.