Former England defender Stuart Pearce believes Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson is showing himself to be the more influential on-field leader than Tottenham superstar Harry Kane in Russia.
The Liverpool captain has been in excellent form for the Three Lions at the World Cup, drawing praise for his anchoring of the midfielder in the absence of another defensive-minded colleague.
Henderson has controlled the tempo of games from deep, and has often been seen barking orders at teammates in a bid to try and organise and in the eyes of Pearce, he is displaying more prominent leadership than striking talisman Kane.
“Harry Kane is the more silent captain; Henderson is the one pointing and telling people from the centre of midfield what they should and shouldn’t do,” Pearce told talkSPORT.
“I think he potentially, if you asked the players, they look up to Harry Kane and what he’s done and the goals he has scored, but the influence that Henderson has got will be massive in that group.
“Why was he my captain? Because he is totally selfless to the group – he puts the group before himself and that is a great trait for any captain, any leader.”
Interestingly before the tournament, Henderson was one of a number of players being bashed for his inclusion, but now people are wising up to his game and the characteristics he brings.
He may not be wearing the armband, but he will continue to be the vocal individual that the team needs, with Kane providing inspiration more through performance. Together, they make a pretty complimentary duo in that sense and clearly England as a collective have benefitted from the arrangement.
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