Jordan Henderson could be set to make a surprise return to England , with the former Liverpool captain being linked with transfer to his boyhood club.
Henderson has endured a year to forget since leaving Liverpool in the summer of 2023. He lasted just half a season in Saudi Arabia after joining Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq before returning to Europe, making the move to Ajax back in January.
His indifferent form with the Dutch side though led to him losing his place with the England team, with Gareth Southgate – who had previously defended selecting Henderson after his controversial move to the Middle East – omitting him from his squad for Euro 2024.
The 34-year-old has made 12 appearances so far this season for Ajax, captaining the Dutch side in all but three of those games, but Football Insider now suggests a return to Sunderland could be on the cards in January . It’s claimed the Championship outfit is working on a sensational deal to re-sign Henderson in order to boost their hopes of winning promotion to the Premier League this season.
Should Henderson make the move to the Stadium of Light, he will be heading back to the club were it all began for him. A Sunderland native, the midfielder made his way through the ranks with the Black Cats, eventually leading to him earning a move to Liverpool in 2011.
It was during his early years at Sunderland that Henderson came across Roy Keane , with the former Manchester United captain turned Sky Sports pundit managing the side for two years. Henderson was on the cusp of the senior team at that time, although a below-par performance led to him and his teammates incurring the wrath of their manager.
"We had a friendly game for Sunderland U21s away to Gateshead, which isn't far, but wasn't great, we didn't play well,” Henderson told the High Performance Podcast last year. “I don't think Roy went to the game, it was just his staff. We're getting the coach back to the training ground and on the way back everyone has to go to in because the gaffer wants to see us - everyone's face went white.
"We all go in, waiting in this room and Roy comes in and says something along the lines of 'this f***ing sums you lot up'. Then he starts going round everyone individually, I think someone just signed and was reminded of his fee. Talking about the game, saying we're not good enough.
"He went round and I'm just standing there, dripping in sweat. So he gets to me, looks at us and says 'do you think you could play in the first-team?' and I just responded 'yeah'. He says 'good, because the staff said you were the only one who was running around', then he moved on."
Henderson would go on to earn his spot in the Sunderland senior team, while Keane left the club in 2008. Having become an England international, and impressive 2010/11 season saw him earn a move to Liverpool, where he would succeed Gerrard as club captain and lead the Reds to the Champions League and Premier League title.
Henderson added: "I will always back myself, but I'd always do it inside. I've never seen the point in coming out and backing myself, speaking, talking and telling people - like why? I'll do my talking on the pitch."
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