“‘Smart Choice’: Pickford Praises Henderson’s England Recall”

LONDON, March 19, 2025 — Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson has been recalled to the England national team for the first time since November 2023, as new manager Thomas Tuchel named his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
Henderson, aged 34, won the first of his 81 caps in 2010 for Fabio Capello, and has been praised by Tuchel as a player who “represents everything we strive to create” in the England camp. The ex-Liverpool skipper moved to Ajax in January 2024 after a temporary move to Saudi outfit Al-Ettifaq, and has since played 38 games, leading Ajax to the summit of the Eredivisie with a six-point advantage.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Henderson‘s long-time England colleague, was glad to see the veteran back, praising the leadership and winning spirit he introduces to the team. The duo has a past history together, both graduating from Sunderland’s academy and featuring prominently in England‘s deep runs in tournaments, including the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, Euro 2020 final, and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Addressing the media, Pickford highlighted the good influence Henderson and newly summoned Newcastle center back Dan Burn will bring to the team as they look forward to the 2026 World Cup.

We’ve been knocking on the door for some time now. We’ve had two finals, a semi-final, and a quarter-final,” said Pickford. “It’s about that next step now. We know what it takes to get there. It’s about what it takes to win the trophy, and that is what the manager has come in to do.

Emphasizing Henderson’s heritage, Pickford went on to say, “He‘s got that winning culture, what he has won as a player and captain at Liverpool. To have those leaders about the place — the more leaders you have within the team, the more success they create. They set the training standards, they set standards about the camp, and make it a nice place for all.

Tuchel‘s move to recall Henderson follows England‘s close defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final under previous manager Gareth Southgate. Pickford considered whether or not Henderson‘s absence had been noticed throughout that campaign:

We reached a final and didn‘t win it,” Pickford conceded. “I don’t think we‘ll ever know whether he was a miss because we reached the final. But this manager has brought Hendo in, and I know how much of a leader he is, and how much respect he is held in, so I think it’s only a positive.

While England prepares to meet its qualifiers and looks forward to World Cup triumph in 2026, Henderson‘s experience and leadership will be called upon to drive the Three Lions home.