DEAN’S DISPLAYS EARN THE PRAISE OF WILDER
SHEFFIELD United boss Chris Wilder admits he is not surprised to hear goalkeeper Dean Henderson is on Gareth Southgate’s radar.
England boss Southgate revealed this week that Henderson is not far off earning a call-up to the Three Lions senior squad.
The 22-year-old joined the Blades on a season-long loan from Manchester United last summer and has played a key part in the club’s push for promotion to the Premier League.
Henderson was also a member of the Shrewsbury side that reached the League One play-off final last year, helping to earn him a place in the PFA League One team of the season, and Wilder admits he fully deserves all the praise coming his way.
“Dean has been firstclass for us. Everyone looks at what happened at Villa, not just at Dean, but the team in general, how would he and we react?” said Wilder, referring to the criticism the England Under-21 international received for his performance in last month’s 3-3 draw at Aston Villa.
“The answer is what Dean has produced since and what the players have found since then too. I’m not surprised he’s being talked about, but there are some unbelievable goalkeepers in front of him that he’s got to get past.
“But at the moment he is doing all he can. He is playing extremely well and playing a part in what have been consistently good team performances.
“He’s up there with the best in the division, but Leeds signed a boy from Real Madrid (Kiko Casilla) and Sam Johnstone (West Brom) still gives me sleepless nights.
“But Dean is right up there and last season he was the best in League One. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was in contention for accolades at the end of the season.”