Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HENDO VOWS EUROS GLORY FOR ENGLAND
FOOTBALLER of the Year Jordan Henderson has pledged to give everything so that England become European champions next year.
Kop captain Henderson has spent a year focusing on Liverpool and, after clinching the club’s first Premier League trophy, the 30-year-old is delighted at winning the top award from the Football Writers’ Association.
But far from dialling down his ambitions after winning the Champions League last season and FIFA World Club Cup in December, Henderson has unfinished business with England.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has brilliant young players, such as Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood, Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, emerging with perfect timing for next summer’s delayed tournament.
And Henderson believes England could have the weapons to end years of anguish, as Liverpool have done, and finally deliver on the big stage in the delayed 2020 Euros.
“My motivation will never change, I’ll always want more, I’ll always want to win trophies and be successful – whether that’s at Liverpool or with England,” said Henderson.
“I’ll always give everything to try to be better and try to make my teammates better and that’s, again, both at Liverpool and England.
“England is a big opportunity, with the talent and the players we have there, so I’m looking forward to being a part of it and helping in any way I can.
“But there is still a lot I want to achieve at Liverpool as well.
“That’s been the same ever since I came to Liverpool and it won’t change because we have won a few trophies.”
As much as Henderson’s FWA award was for his unwavering commitment to Liverpool’s season, his captaincy and driving energy, his social conscience and off-field contribution to the Players Together charity initiative was a significant factor, too.
He was a driving force in Players Together, engaging with the 19 other Premier League skippers to raise money for the NHS.
He said: “All the captains and players’ representatives of all the clubs in the Premier League came together to support and help the NHS staff and volunteers for their work. That was really powerful and meant a lot to us.
“I think it made a big difference to all the NHS staff.
“What we’ve done so far is incredible – not only for the NHS, but for the
Black Lives Matter campaign and the lead the players took on that side.”