Dave Hendrick outlines potential Premier League landing spots for Henderson

Yahoo

10-07-2025

Jordan Henderson Faces Premier League Crossroads After Contract Termination
Jordan Henderson's time abroad has come to an abrupt end, and the former Liverpool captain now finds himself in limbo, awaiting his next move. As reported on The Daily Red podcast by Dave Hendrick, Henderson has terminated his contract and is now the subject of Premier League interest, with Sunderland leading the pack. Hendrick's assessment of the situation was as direct as it was telling: 'Jordan Henderson has terminated his contract amid Premier League interest. Paul Joyce reporting the Premier League interest. I would imagine that Premier League interest comes from Sunderland, perhaps Burnley.'
Limited Options in a Changed League
The Premier League landscape Henderson left behind is not the one he returns to. Hendrick noted that upon leaving Liverpool, there were 'probably still six or eight clubs in the league that he could have played for'. Now, the market looks less inviting for the 34-year-old midfielder.
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'Very, very hard to really find a place for him at this point in his career,' Hendrick said, methodically listing the clubs he believes are unlikely to consider the former England international. 'He's not good enough for Arsenal, not good enough for Villa… he wouldn't get in the team at Brighton… Chelsea, not a hope. Not an absolute chance.' The list goes on, with dismissals of clubs such as Palace, West Ham, Wolves, Newcastle, and Spurs.
Hendrick's analysis is clear: Henderson's Premier League future hinges not on prestige, but on practicality. 'He's going to want to play. He's not going to want to go and be a squad player.' That mindset narrows the field significantly.
Sunderland Move Makes 'All the Sense'
Among the few logical destinations, one club stands out. 'Sunderland definitely, I think, is the favourite in the clubhouse,' said Hendrick. It is a move steeped in sentiment, given Henderson's roots at the Wearside club. 'It's where he came through. It's where he's from. It makes a lot of sense.'
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Burnley and Leeds United were also mentioned as possibilities, but Sunderland offers not just familiarity, but a potentially starring role. For a player clearly seeking playing time over bench duty, that could be decisive.
Shift in Perception Since Liverpool Exit
The gap between what Henderson was at Liverpool and how he is now perceived is stark. Once lauded for his leadership and tireless engine, his recent moves have drawn scepticism. The nature of Hendrick's remarks — at times blunt, always rooted in current form and squad fit — reflects a shift in the broader football conversation around Henderson.
He is no longer evaluated as a former Liverpool captain and Champions League winner, but as a veteran midfielder attempting to remain relevant in a league that has evolved rapidly. 'He wouldn't get in the team at Forest… wouldn't get in the team at Spurs,' Hendrick reiterated, underlining the struggle to find a natural fit.
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What Comes Next for Henderson?
Henderson's next club will likely determine how the final chapter of his Premier League career is written. A return to Sunderland would be symbolic, yes, but also a real opportunity to finish his playing days with meaningful minutes on the pitch. For now, as Dave Hendrick observed, it's a waiting game: 'My guess is it's one of the newly promoted teams.'
No matter where he ends up, his situation offers a striking reminder of how swiftly football moves on — and how even the most decorated figures must reprove their worth when the spotlight shifts.