Henderson hoping to rule roost in Moscow
THE stakes could not be higher this evening. Croatia stand between Gareth Southgate’s England and an opportunity to return to this stadium on Sunday in pursuit of the biggest trophy of the lot.
Sitting alongside Southgate last night was a player who appreciates the magnitude of the situation more than most; a player who knows what it takes to win a major semi-final but also now has a better understanding of what is required to clear the final hurdle after the bitter experience of that encounter with Real Madrid in Kiev less than seven weeks ago. In particular when Luka Modric is a member of the opposition.
A missed penalty aside, Jordan Henderson has been outstanding at this tournament. But he also has that precious big-match experience and a record that should provide both his manager and his team-mates with confidence when they need it most.
Asked how he had managed to go 30 international matches without defeat and Henderson was endearingly modest. Southgate briefly interrupted him by declaring ‘we’d better keep him fit’ but Henderson then replied: ‘I wouldn’t look too much into it because I don’t win on my own. We win as a team. Just as much as if I’d played and lost every match, it wouldn’t be my fault either.’
‘Jordan’s a player who has been underestimated for a long time,’ said England’s manager.
‘I watched him a lot at Sunderland as a youngster. To go to Liverpool and establish yourself there, filling the shoes of probably their greatest ever player and captain, and do it the way he has…
‘He has the total trust of his club manager; he’s an outstanding person with outstanding leadership qualities. The quality of his game has gone on to another level this season.
‘We’re very fortunate to have him. We’ve got some players who have played in big finals and we do involve them in some of those discussions, to get their thinking around big matches. We can share our experience of big games, but sometimes it’s more powerful for the players to hear from their own team-mates.’
In Henderson, Southgate has someone who is fiercely committed to playing for England. When he made his first international appearance, against France, he declined to swap shirts because he wanted to keep his for his parents. Those he played with at Under-21 level will recall him going berserk in the dressing room when he did not feel colleagues were pulling their weight in a game against Israel.
To stop Modric and his more creative Croatian colleagues England need him at his best.
‘I’ve played Modric a few times, a world-class player, one of the best I’ve played against,’ said Henderson.
‘He likes to dictate, likes to drop deep and get on the ball. It’s not only me but the whole team that’s trying to stop him. I’m sure he’ll have moments in the game but it’s about limiting them.’