It’s a case of what could have been for Jordan Henderson, who was photographed on holiday in Portugal while his old England teammates were in Germany for Euro 2024.
The man who was Gareth Southgate’s midfield staple for so long will not compete in the competition after being left out of the 33-man preliminary roster announced last month.
Henderson’s choice to follow the great earnings on offer in the Saudi Arabian Pro League ultimately backfired, despite his attempts to save his Tree Lions career with a January move to Ajax.
Gareth Southgate’s 26-man group arrived in Germany on Monday, while Henderson was spotted with his wife Rebecca at an Algarve resort.
The couple appeared relaxed in their gym attire before driving away in a golf buggy.
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Jordan Henderson and wife Rebecca Burnett were seen driving a golf buggy in the Algarve
Henderson, even at 33, would have been a strong candidate for the final team if he had continued to play consistently for Liverpool. Such was Southgate’s confidence in his ability.
His £350,000-a-week Saudi dream at Al-Ettifaq has turned into a nightmare after severe criticism from LGBTQ+ campaigners, and his family is struggling to adjust in the Middle East.
Henderson tried to retrieve the situation – and revive his Euro hopes – by signing for Ajax in January. However, he found himself in a mediocre team that finished fifth in the Eredivisie despite off-field instability.
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The pair looked in a relaxed mood in their gym gear on a sunny day in Portugal
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Henderson has lost his position in Southgate’s squad after years of being a mainstay.
It all adds up to a self-inflicted fall from favour for the England regular after a forgettable year.
Let us not forget that Henderson was in England’s squad as recently as March, appearing as an unused replacement in a 2-2 draw with Belgium at Wembley Stadium.
He captained the Three Lions in an October friendly against Australia before going on to play in Euro qualifiers against Italy and Malta.
During the Southgate era, and for some time before that, Henderson’s absence from England’s midfield was due to injuries.
He was considered as a ‘Mr Dependable’ figure in the engine room, rarely flamboyant but always energetic and dependable to make the right pass or command team members. He is a model professional.
Henderson was unlikely to play a significant role in Germany, but Southgate may have prized his extensive camp experience.