By Matt Law in Moscow Southgate’s belief in Henderson and Stones paying off
England manager’s faith in pair is vindicated Liverpool captain has been ‘underestimated’
England’s run to the World Cup semi-final has featured unlikely heroes in the form of Jordan Pickford, Kieran Trippier and Harry Maguire, but just as important have been the performances of two players who are changing perceptions.
Jordan Henderson and John Stones have both faced heavy criticism for club and country despite retaining the faith of their managers and not being part of the Euro 2016 humiliation against Iceland.
Henderson was last on the losing side for England in the 2014 World Cup against Uruguay. The national team have since won 23 games and drawn seven in which he has played – the longest unbeaten run of any England player in history.
But those who complained Henderson passed only sideways and backwards have gone quiet as he has been on the front foot in Russia, whether it be trying to play balls over the top for Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling or closing down opponents high up the pitch and sticking up for his team-mates with the referees.
Stones (45.94kilometres in 435 minutes) and Henderson (45.1km in 385min) are behind only Jesse Lingard (46.14km in 362min) in the running statistics for the England squad at the World Cup.
Asked about Henderson’s 30game record and whether it was indicative of the midfielder’s talismanic influence on his side, England manager Gareth Southgate said: “We’d better keep him fit! Jordan’s a player who has been underestimated for a long time. I watched him a lot at Sunderland as a young player. To go to Liverpool and establish yourself there, filling the shoes of probably their greatestever player and captain, and do it the way he has... he has the total trust of his club manager, is an outstanding person with outstanding leadership qualities.
“The quality of his game has gone on to another level this season. His positional understanding, reading of dangers, seeing pictures with the ball, forward passes early. Some of the through balls the other night were exceptional.” Referencing the fact Henderson has already played in a Champions League final for Liverpool this season, Southgate added: “He’s playing at the top of his game and should have huge confidence to have played in the biggest club matches ever. He is now replicating that with the national team and we’re very fortunate to have him.”
Henderson looked genuinely appreciative as he sat next to Southgate while being lavished with praise and, understandably, he was rather more modest.
“Someone mentioned the 30 games the other day,” said the 28-year-old. “But, to be honest, 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. We want to win as a team. It’s down to the team, what we do behind the scenes, all the hard work to get here. The biggest thing for me is to continue to win.” Stones has been Southgate’s calm leader in the back three, allowing Maguire and Kyle Walker licence to roam forward, bringing the ball out from the back at the right times himself and slowing down play on the relatively rare occasions England have come under pressure. He has also defended well and coped with the physical challenges posed.
“For me, what is nice is that we’ve worked with John since he was an under-21 international and he’s a style of player we haven’t had in English football before,” said Southgate. “Maybe Rio Ferdinand was as close as we’ve had. The way we want to progress as a national federation through our teams, we need defenders in that style who can use the ball really well. John dictates the tempo of the game. His use of the ball, understanding of supporting angles and reading of the game has been excellent. His defending has, too. A physical test against Sweden, a different challenge, but his defending was exceptional in that game.”