Dan Neil has been in conversation with Sunderland boss over transfer target Jordan Henderson.
Sunderland have gotten off to an immense start in the 2024/25 Championship season, with a recent dominant victory at the Stadium of Light against Oxford United planting them at the top of the league by four points.
The team under Regis Le Bris has been phenomenal across the park, with the midfield especially living up to the lofty expectations.
Jobe Bellingham put the Black Cats into the lead against Oxford United at the weekend, and he most certainly controlled the centre-of-the-park. His qualities, alongside the likes of Chris Rigg and Dan Neil, have been close to unbreakable this campaign.
Despite the abundance of quality in the midfield, the name Jordan Henderson has been uttered as a potential transfer target for Sunderland, and it is one that can be backed up with the credibility of Black Cats boss Le Bris.
Dan Neil on Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris’ ideas with Jordan Henderson
In recent weeks, Sunderland have been linked with former midfielder Henderson, who since his time in Wearside has won Champions Leagues and Premier Leagues on top of captaining England.
Whilst it initially looked ambitious, it is now clear that Le Bris is more-than aware of the Englishman who is now plying his trade in the Eredivisie with Ajax.
Black Cats man Neil recently had a conversation with the French boss over Henderson, where, per Sunderland Echo, he said: “The gaffer’s got ideas. He actually mentioned Jordan Henderson at Ajax, who plays in the six for Ajax and out of possession, dropping in and making it a back five.”
“Of course, yeah [on whether he would like to play alongside Henderson]. He’s a top-quality player. So whenever you get a player with top-quality players, he embraces it.”
“Yeah, he can come back if he wants.
“I think he’s had ups and downs in his career, which is not refreshing to say because you don’t want to see anyone have downs, but the fact that he was at Sunderland got this big move to Liverpool, and it probably didn’t work out for him initially, but he’s gone on to win everything that he could win in club football.”
Jordan Henderson’s abilities will benefit Sunderland more off the pitch
There is no doubt that Henderson will arrive with bags of quality, although he is 34 years old.
However, even though he has bags of experience, it would be far from guaranteed for him to be given a place in the starting side straight away, and it could be a possibility that Le Bris sees the Champions League winner as more of a mentor for the likes of Neil and Rigg, whilst also giving him the odd 20 minutes here-and-there.
The impact that the ‘unbelievable’ playmaker could have on the younger ranks could certainly be immense in regards to the long term benefits, from a players perspective of learning the trade from a quality seasoned professional, to the club, whose key assets will clearly be boosted in a financial aspect.
