'I'm sat thinking...': Stuart Pearce stunned by what Jordan Henderson was doing when Liverpool played West Ham

By Lee Connor

Stuart Pearce has been lauding Jordan Henderson after the England midfielder helped the Three Lions to the World Cup quarter finals last night.

Henderson got the opening goal and looked in fine form all night. He has been praised by plenty of pundits and former players following his display. And Pearce has been on TalkSPORT singing his praises as well.

Henderson praised

Pearce was keen to divulge into what he meant. And the former England left-back offered some unique insight into just how impressive Henderson is.

“I’ve never understood it to be honest. He was my captain for the England under-21s back in 2011 I think it was and I saw the leadership. Probably the biggest thing – and I spoke with Henry Winter about this – I was fortunate to be at West Ham with the Covid situation and there’s no one in the stadium. So you could sit in there as a coach and hear every word that was going out there on the pitch,” Pearce told TalkSPORT.

“And Jordan Henderson when we played Liverpool, he’s cajoling people, he’s leading them, he’s coaching them. And this is him playing for Liverpool. I’m sat there as West Ham coach thinking ‘wowee, this kid is something different’. He’s a team player. He does all the dirty things. Football fans turn round and say what’s he doing in the team, cos he’s not pretty or he’s not got the technical skills.

“You need a Jordan Henderson. We as football people know the importance of Jordan Henderson. He knits it together both on and off the football pitch. Every day he’s on it, he’ll be on the money, driving your training sessions.”

TBR’s View: Jordan Henderson earning his keep

Most Liverpool fans will tell you Henderson is key for them. But there has been a stigma around the Reds skipper for some time and suggestions he isn’t good enough for England.

However, that talk needs to end now. He’s in his sixth tournament and it’s no fluke he keeps getting selected. Southgate trusts him, knows what he brings to the table, and knows how to manage him.

Henderson isn’t the best technical player, no. But Pearce’s insight here shows what he does bring and that is something that cannot be underestimated.