Regis Le Bris ‘needs Jordan Henderson’ at Sunderland after promotion
Jordan Henderson could complete a sensational return to Sunderland this summer, after they sealed promotion to the Premier League.
The England international was born and raised a Mackem, rising through the ranks to play Premier League football for his local club before his eventual departure to Liverpool in 2011.
But following Sunderland’s 2-1 Championship play-off final victory over Sheffield United, Henderson could now return to the place in which his career began.
Henderson return would be a ‘good move’
Any move to bring Henderson back to the Stadium of Light would surely require certain concessions.
The midfielder still has 12 months remaining on his deal at Ajax, and the Dutch club’s willingness to part with the player, who captained them throughout the season, is unclear.
Henderson’s wages could also present an issue, with the 34-year-old likely required to take a pay cut if he is to return to Sunderland.
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that he acknowledges the financial aspects of the deal, but thinks that the move would be a wise one.
“I think on the flip side of it, it’s the experience he would bring to an extremely young dressing room,” he said.
“Look at how young that dressing room is and how young the squad is, the experience he would bring into that would be a welcome addition.
“We know he’s a cult hero in the North East and he would be welcomed back with open arms.”
Much of Henderson’s career has been spent wearing the captain’s armband.
Stepping up following the departure of club legend Steven Gerrard in 2015, the Englishman led Liverpool to lift both the Premier League and the Champions League.
And after calling time on his own Anfield career, Henderson would go on to captain Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League, before taking on the armband at Ajax.
He would also captain England before Harry Kane took over the duties, and Robinson went on to admit that Regis Le Bris will need players like that.
“Managers sometimes need players like him alongside them to be their eyes and ears in the dressing room, so for Henderson to go back there would be a good move,” he added.
Henderson move should be start of a busy Sunderland summer
If Sunderland are to survive amid the current strength of the Premier League, they will need to strengthen considerably.
For the last two seasons, all three newly-promoted teams have sunk straight back down to the Championship, and the task is not getting any easier.
While Henderson’s signing would be a positive start, the Black Cats must accept that they are starting on the back foot.
Their fellow promoted teams – Leeds and Burnley – both recorded 24 more points than Sunderland in the Championship and would appear, from the surface, to be better equipped for life in the Premier League.
With rumours surrounding Jobe Bellingham’s future, Sunday’s transfer window opening must signal the start of a hectic Sunderland summer.