Jordan Henderson's Leadership and Impact

Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson has been recalled to the England squad by new manager Thomas Tuchel, who believes Henderson "embodies everything we try to build." Tuchel has included Henderson in his first England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. The 34-year-old, who has won 81 caps, last featured for the Three Lions in November 2023.

Tuchel's Vision for England

Jordan is a serial winner, Tuchel stated. "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."

The Phone Call That Sealed the Deal

Tuchel recounted the moment he called Henderson to inform him of his selection. "Hi, it's Thomas Tuchel," he said, to which Henderson replied, "Hi, I'm Jordan." Tuchel described the conversation as genuine and heartfelt, appreciating Henderson's humble reaction despite his extensive experience.

Tuchel's Mission with England

Tuchel, who has signed an 18-month deal with the Football Association, aims to lead England to their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. He plans to utilize his experience from managing top clubs like Chelsea, Paris St-Germain, and Bayern Munich to instill a winning mentality in the squad.

Building a Team for the Future

"Not a lot is missing," Tuchel remarked. "It's missing a little bit because now we are consecutive in semis and finals. It's just a little step to bring it over the line. If we want to be prepared to be in the next final and make the last step, we need to do it now in the first camp. This journey starts with the first camp. We only have six camps, 60 days. Hopefully, the last step takes care of itself."

Reflecting the Premier League Style

Tuchel emphasized the importance of adapting to the physicality and directness of the Premier League. "The style has to suit the players and the league they play in. It needs to reflect the Premier League. We should be brave enough to play like an England squad and not copy other nations."

Marcus Rashford's Return

Tuchel also discussed the inclusion of Marcus Rashford in the squad, highlighting his recent form and impact at Aston Villa. "He had a huge impact at Aston Villa, he made a huge impact from the bench mostly and the impact was impressive," Tuchel said. "I had a strong feeling that we should nominate him and bring him in to push him to stay at that level and not fall back to old routines."

Conclusion

With Henderson's leadership and Tuchel's vision, England aims to make a strong statement in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The blend of experience and fresh tactical approaches could be the key to finally bringing home a major trophy.