Jordan Henderson’s presence in the England squad has divided opinion, but there is a clear reason Thomas Tuchel wanted him around for the World Cup.
Henderson brings leadership, experience and standards that matter in a tournament environment. Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers have already made that clear, with both players speaking glowingly about what he gives the group.
But Bellingham brings something very similar. He is still only 22, yet he already carries himself like one of England’s key leaders, and Henderson believes his teammate can be the difference maker this summer — the media has a part to play there as well.
Jordan Henderson says Jude Bellingham is huge for England and doesn’t deserve media criticism
Speaking about Bellingham ahead of England’s World Cup opener against Croatia, Henderson made it clear just how highly he rates the Real Madrid midfielder.
He tells The Guardian: “I’m sure he will have a big impact for us in this tournament. I can remember five years ago I gave him his first cap, it was away at Middlesbrough. How much he’s grown, as a player and as a person since then, is incredible really.”
There has always been noise around Bellingham. His confidence, his body language, his move to Spain and his status as one of England’s biggest names have all made him an easy target for the domestic media.
But Henderson sees something different every day.
He continues: “I think everybody forgets how young he is. We do rondos and it’s the youngest in, and there’s people that I think should be going in before him, but he’s always one of the first in the middle to go in. It just reminds us how young he is. I honestly couldn’t speak highly enough of him.”
Bellingham has already played for Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and England at major tournaments. He has scored huge goals, carried huge pressure and become one of the most recognizable players in world football.
But he is still only 22.
“I know a lot gets written in the media and I really find it hard to read sometimes because I just know how big an influence he is on this team, how good a teammate he is off the field”, Henderson adds.
“And what he gives us is just something really special, he really gives us the X-factor in our team. He’s had big moments in his career, he’s a big game player, he’s got experience in tournaments, so he’s a huge, huge player for us in this tournament.”
If England are going to go far at this World Cup, they need Bellingham close to his best. He is one of the few players in the squad who can decide a game in one moment, whether through a goal, a pass, a run from midfield or simply the force of his personality.
That is why the constant criticism can feel so short-sighted.
Bellingham is not perfect, and no player should be beyond scrutiny. But England do not have many players with his combination of talent, confidence and big-game temperament.
Henderson knows what a strong tournament dressing room looks like. He also knows the difference between confidence and arrogance.
And when he looks at Bellingham, he clearly sees a player England should be building around, not dragging down.
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