The former Liverpool captain will wear the armband for the first time when the Dutch club visit Heerenveen on Sunday. This game will be Jordan Henderson’s second game since leaving the Saudi Arabian Professional League.
Jordan Henderson has been named the new captain of Ajax. The former Liverpool captain will wear the armband for the first time in Sunday’s away game against Dutch club Heerenveen. This is Henderson’s second appearance in the Middle East, just six months after leaving Saudi Arabian Professional League side Al Etifak.
The 33-year-old England midfielder was named captain following the injury absence of former Tottenham winger Steven Bergwijn. However, Ajax manager John van Schiff is keen to make the appointment permanent given the positive impact Henderson has on the dressing room.
During this time, Henderson won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Club World Cup under Jurgen Klopp. Young Ajax midfielder Kenneth Taylor has spoken of Henderson’s direct influence in Amsterdam. “Having Jordan on the team and in the locker room is huge,” Taylor said.
Anyone can see that he has been playing for many years at the highest level in Europe and England. Jordan is great on the court and a natural leader and coach. “He always supports the young players, sees things faster than others and always tells us how to wait.
The result is an already perfect style of play. Now simple things stay in the player’s mind and automatically make many things happen in our game. I like everything. Henderson is now Ajax’s highest-paid player after turning down a £750,000-a-week deal in the desert to return to Europe.
But Taylor believes everyone at the club deserves every penny of their £100,000-a-week wages. He added: “None of us are against (Henderson’s salary). Because Jordan is a great and open person. He invites his players to come and listen to what he has to say. He also wants to know how I like to receive the ball. “And what we all liked about him in his first game is that he continued to step up both offensively and defensively.”
I think it’s good to get an idea of what’s required at a high level. It’s too early to say how Jordan will fit into our team, but it’s good for me to have a player like him. “I have the same appreciation for what other players say about Jordan.
The atmosphere has really changed. Jordan gives us extra strength. “This is not just for us, we are loved by the players and the fans. It gives us hope that we can still finish in the top three in the league.”
