Jordan Pickford speaks out on Thomas Tuchel’s controversial England decision

Jordan Pickford is fully behind Thomas Tuchel’s decision to recall Jordan Henderson to the England squad, describing the selection as ‘only a good thing’.

Henderson has not played for the Three Lions since November 2023 when he was at Saudi side Al-Ettifaq.

His stint in the Saudi Pro League was a short one and he moved to Ajax in January 2024, since making 51appearances for the Dutch giants and captaining the side.

Now 34 years old, and turning 35 in June, it appeared Henderson’s international career was at an end but he was something of a surprise inclusion in Tuchel’s first England squad this month.

Pickford, who has been a long-time international teammate of the Ajax midfielder, thinks it is a good decision and feels the veteran brings valuable leadership qualities to the squad.

‘His desire to want to win and what he has won and achieved is driven by himself,’ Pickford said of the former Liverpool man. ‘He’s a winner and a big leader. I think bringing Hendo back in is great for the squad.

‘He was vice-captain for numerous years. He didn’t come to the last Euros but he was vice-captain in 2018 to Harry [Kane].

‘I think someone like Hendo, it’s great. Having leaders in your group, the teams that have won have always had that experience in the side as well.

‘I think it’s a great move for us to have someone like him in the squad. What he has done, how he is still driven – whether he plays or not he is going to be the leader on the training pitch.’

He added on Henderson not being involved in Euro 2024 when England lost in the final to Spain: ‘Jords is a great lad and respected by all the players and the staff.

‘I don’t think we will ever know if he was a miss as we got to the final. This manager has brought Hendo in and I know how much of a leader he is, and how respected he is, so I think it’s only a good thing.’

Pickford has also hailed the inclusion of Newcastle defender Dan Burn in Tuchel’s first squad, saying the 32-year-old also brings leadership qualities to the table.

‘It’s about that next step now. We know what it takes to get there. It’s about what it takes to lift the trophy, and that is what the manager has come in to do,’ Pickford said.

‘We have got Dan Burn’s first call-up which is a great achievement for him. We have got Hendo with how many caps he has got. He has got that winning mentality, what he has won at Liverpool as a player and a captain.

‘To have those leaders around the place, the more leaders you have in the team I think the more success they will bring.

‘They will drive training standards, they will drive standards around the place and make it a better camp for everybody.’

On Henderson’s inclusion, Tuchel explained: ‘Jordan is a serial winner. He’s captain of Ajax. What he brings to every team is leadership, character, energy and personality.

‘He makes sure everyone lives by the standards. He embodies everything we try to build. We want to build a team our fans are proud of.’

England host Albania in World Cup qualifying at Wembley on Friday evening in Tuchel’s first game in charge.