The signing of former Liverpool captain and Premier League winner Jordan Henderson has not ‘added anything’ to a struggling Ajax side.
That is the view of Johan Derksen, the former Dutch footballer unimpressed with the contributions – or the lack thereof – of a man who’s surprise arrival during the January transfer window was supposed to represent a turning point in a dismal Ajax season.
Jordan Henderson’s vast experience and renowned leadership skills were expected to have a massive impact in a callow dressing room perhaps lacking in big personalities.
But, since parachuting in the one-time £20 million Liverpool signing from Saudi Arabia, Ajax appear to have actually declined following a bright start to the John van’t Schip era, winning once in nine games and exiting Europe with a calamitous 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Thursday night.
Henderson was swamped by an energetic and athletic Villa side, and Derksen takes issue with Rene van der Gijp’s claim that the 33-year-old England international was a ‘no-brainer purchase’.
Former Liverpool captain struggling at Ajax
“I said that in advance, he is such a diligent boy in midfield,” Derksen tells Vandaag Inside, hitting back at a man who won two Eredivisie titles with PSV Eindhoven in the 1980s.
“But he doesn’t add anything. (It is) incomprehensible that that man was selected for the England team.”
You certainly won’t be hard pressed finding many who share the same view this side of the Channel, Henderson’s continued involvement in Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of this summer’s European Championships a frequent source of bafflement.
Jordan Henderson back in England squad
Southgate, at least, left Kalvin Phillips at home for March’s friendlies with Brazil and Belgium.
There may be room for one massively-underperforming central midfielder but not two, Phillips’ form deemed nowhere near near ‘good enough’ following a miserable start to the Manchester City misfits loan spell at West Ham United.
Hernderson, meanwhile, will be hoping to pick up only his second win in Ajax colours when Van’t Schip’s side face Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday. The Amsterdam giants are fifth in the Eredivisie, and nearly 20 points adrift of champions-elect PSV.
Liverpool host Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.