Ajax will be getting a real leader who will put players in their place, if they can sign former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson this month.
That’s according to his former Liverpool teammate Ki-Jana Hoever, who has hailed the midfielder in a conversation with Algemeen Dagblad.
Henderson is reportedly looking to find a move back to Europe from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq this month after seemingly growing disillusioned with life in the Middle East.
He joined Steven Gerrard’s side in a €14m deal in July after 12 years at Liverpool that had seen him become captain and win the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League in a glittering career for the Reds.
He appears to be unhappy at Al-Ettifaq, though, leading to reports he wants a move back to Europe this month and is exploring his options.
“He immediately explained the basics to me. How things worked at Melwood training ground and what playing for Liverpool entails,” he said.
“Make sure you arrange your things on time, so that you arrive at the club well in time and go to the gym outside of field training. We young boys were especially not allowed to be lazy.
“If it works, Ajax will get a real leader. In everything, on and off the field. A good midfielder, whose temperament and willpower really came to the fore when things went badly.
“During such a speech he could go on a rant and really put teammates in their place, but in a good way. I stood sometimes amazed at how he was always a role model and leader, who did the best for the group.
“He never relented, nor did he accept it from others if they did not keep agreements. He also often knew how to do things better. Sometimes he came up with tactical instructions, sometimes he emphasised the experience.”
