THOMAS TUCHEL has confessed it wasn’t his idea to controversially recall Jordan Henderson but did admit: “He will be the glue.”
The former Liverpool midfielder, 34, now plays at Ajax following his stint in Saudi Arabia and had been overlooked by interim boss Lee Carsley and Gareth Southgate for the Euro 2024 run to the final.
In fact, the 81-cap ace hasn’t played for England since November 2023.
But Tuchel, who named his controversial squad last week, has insisted Henderson will be the “glue” which holds the squad together.
Tuchel told ITV Sport: “He embodies everything. He’s a serial winner, his personality, character.
“He is the glue in every team where he played and he will be the glue that makes things special.
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“When I talk to players, I talk to staff, I talk to people in the federation, his name came up permanently.”
Tuchel admitted it wasn’t his idea to bring Henderson back into the England fold.
But the ex-Chelsea chief claimed “it made so much sense”.
Tuchel continued: “It was not my idea initially from day one but it made so much sense to then call him up because his name was in the discussions all the time.
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“I called him up, and I have to say after this phone call for 15-20 minutes six weeks ago, I was pretty convinced that I need this guy in camp.”
Henderson will turn 36 during next year’s World Cup in the USA.
Yet Tuchel’s comments suggest the 2019-20 Premier League champion will be part of the England fold for the massive tournament.
However, fans were less than happy with Henderson’s inclusion in the group.
The ex-Sunderland star made the cut ahead of in-form Morgan Gibbs-White, as well as Adam Wharton and Conor Gallagher.
Gibbs-White has since been called up, following injury to Cole Palmer.
