'Bang out of order' Jordan Henderson Ajax transfer row leaves door open for Sunderland return
Former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson hit the headlines earlier this week after a transfer row with journalists who cover his current club Ajax.
The 34-year-old midfielder who captains the Dutch outfit, did not wear the armband during Ajax's Europa League clash with Galatasaray in midweek, with serious doubts about his future at the club after transfer talks with Ligue 1 side AS Monaco.
Henderson was grilled about his decision not to wear the armband, as he fronted up to the press in their post-match press conference following the 2-1 win over Feyenoord in the Eredivise on Sunday night.
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The former Liverpool captain said: “The reason I didn’t wear the armband was because of the information I received before the game. I still wanted to play for the team.
“I said to the manager “if you want me to play, I’ll play” but I didn’t feel comfortable being captain of the team because of what was going on before the game and what was being said [about him potentially moving clubs].
“When I came off I wasn’t sure whether I was going to be an Ajax player the next day or not. We had conversations after the game, we had conversations the day after, and we came to the conclusion that the best option was for us to stay until the end of the season.”
That was only the start of the difficult questions, with Henderson accused of not celebrating the goal during that win in midweek by local reporters.
“I’ve seen that as well. Have you watched them back? What part did I not celebrate?,” he hit back. “Don’t get me wrong I wasn’t myself on Thursday because there was a lot of emotions going on.
"I think 99% of people, if they knew the inside information, wouldn’t have played the game. Yet, people in this room have questioned my professionalism and me as a person and I think it’s bang out of order.
“The only way the move [to Monaco] came about was because of the situation the club’s in. We all know the financial problem the club have got, how they need to get rid of top earners or make money back financially. I think that’s been the discussion ever since I walked through the door.
“I hear every other month that I’m being paid too much and then when the opportunity comes for them to do it [sell me] I get the blame and that I’m unprofessional, that I’m trying to say I’m not playing. It’s totally untrue.
“I’ve been in football 16/17 years and you’re questioning my professionalism? That I’m trying to force my way out. I think it’s bang out of order and that it’s people trying to protect themselves.”
The former Sunderland midfielder has been repeatedly linked with a move back to the Stadium of Light, perhaps more through fantasy than concrete links. The Black Cats current recruitment model to bring in young, upcoming talents and sell them on for profit in order to be more sustainable, would likely rule out a sensational return for Henderson.
After answering a number of questions, Henderson engaged in a heated back and forth with one a journalist who pressed him about the failed move to France.
The midfielder was asked: “Can you say why you wanted a transfer to Monaco?” and a visibly annoyed Henderson responded: “Based on what again?”
“The coach has told us you wanted to go to Monaco?” the journalist asked.
Henderson replied: “The coach has told you that I wanted to go Monaco?”
“Yes, because you had a big offer.”
“Because I had a big offer? That’s not true,” the former Black Cat said.
“Did Ajax tell you they wanted to sell you?”
“Well, they were negotiating so I’d imagine they did yeah. They were negotiating a fee but again it’s not about the details. I know the truth, I know what happened, I’m not giving you details.”
“You say it’s not true so can you give details about your conversations with Alex [Kroes. Ajax’s technical director]?”
“No, I don’t need to. You can though, it sounds like you can anyway.”
“I think you read it? [a Dutch article concerning a conversation between Henderson and Kroes].”
Henderson is expected to leave Ajax come the end of the season, leaving the door ajar for a possible return to his boyhood club, but that would likely depend on whether Sunderland win promotion back to the top flight and the finances of a proposed deal.
