Dean Ashton has admitted that he really wouldn’t enjoy playing with Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson.
The Reds captain started for England on Tuesday night as Gareth Southgate’s side thumped Wales 3-0 in Qatar.
A vocal presence for Liverpool in the middle of the park, Henderson could be heard yelling at a number of his Three Lions teammates throughout the encounter – including Phil Foden.
And although Ashton admitted that he admired the passion from Henderson, the former West Ham United hitman conceded that playing alongside the 32-year-old would do his head in.
He told talkSPORT: “He’d do my head in. We had great seats and he was absolutely screaming at Phil Foden at times, both good and bad. He was so loud. “Okay, I’m doing it!”. I probably wouldn’t enjoy playing with him but it’s great to watch and I like to see it from an England player, that he has this real passion.”
Henderson, a £20 million signing by Liverpool in 2011 [Guardian], is one hell of a leader.
This is someone who has led the Anfield outfit to Premier League and Champions League glory in recent years.
It might upset Ashton if he was on the receiving end of his ‘screaming’ but ultimately Henderson just wants to win.
And really, Southgate might start him again next week in their round-of-16 encounter against Senegal.
Having an experienced leader in midfield is priceless for England – and Liverpool – and it’ll be fascinating to see if Henderson’s role grows from here on in, having started on the bench in the first two group games.
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