Gareth Southgate has selected him and in spite of his age, Jordan Henderson is an amazing defensive midfielder and has all the qualities to play for the national team.
He will help England keep the first place in group C and send the difference of points with Ukraine in +9. Southgate reacted regarding him and his involvement with the England squad. He said that he is not impacted by the players’ clubs and also denied any influence by the LGTBQ+ supporters following his move to Saudi Arabia.
Henderson has been a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights as a captain at Liverpool and now that he moved to Saudi Arabia, where LGBTQ+ actions are considered a crime, he has irritated the fans.
“I don’t pick the team based on external reaction. I think Jordan expressed himself this week that he’d be sad if that’s how they felt. His feeling towards that community hasn’t changed.”
“[We] I think as a team… I am sure all of our fans are going to get behind the team when the game starts. I understand some of the comments that have been, and I respect the comments that have been made.”
“But I think what’s also been said is that they’re going to get behind the team when we play, and I am sure they’ll get behind Jordan when the game starts as well.”
England will have to make calculations with Italy included and will try to close the qualification case in this match.