Henderson’s switch to Saudi Arabia in the summer split opinion. The experienced midfielder switched the Liverpool captaincy for the Saudi Pro League.
The 33-year-old joined Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq in a £20million deal. Some fans deemed the move hypocritical over his support for the LGBTQ+ community, given the country’s poor human rights record.
LGBTQ+ groups criticised Henderson for moving to a country where members of the community face severe oppression not encountered by non-LGBTQ+ citizens. It is not clear if that was the sole reason why Henderson was booed while playing for England at Wembley.
However, Southgate felt compelled to defend Henderson’s contribution in a Three Lions shirt. The former Sunderland man has played 79 times for his country since making his debut in 2010.
Southgate said: “I really don’t understand it. He’s a player who I think 79 caps for England. His commitment and what he’s delivered for England is exceptional. His role within the group on and off the pitch is phenomenally important.”
Henderson was one of many high-profile European stars who moved to Saudi Arabia in the summer. His former Liverpool team-mates Fabinho and Sadio Mane also signed for clubs in the Pro League, with Fabinho joining Al-Ittihad and Mane linking up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
The standard of football and slower tempo have called into question whether Henderson has a future in the England set-up. Several midfielders are emerging into Southgate’s plans, handing Henderson a battle to keep his place.
But Southgate insists that England’s staff will continue to keep tabs on Henderson out in the Middle East. “His physical data is fine. The games are not at the same intensity as the games here,” The England manager said to defend the inclusion of Henderson for October’s international fixtures.
“The heat is part of that. There are two or three drinks breaks per game, which is an indication of the climate, and that his having an impact on how teams play. It is a situation that we are tracking closely. I will go out and watch games.
“We will get to his games the same way we get everybody else’s. That’s a longer trip and in these first couple of months we’ve felt it more important to see as many games live as we can, as quickly as possible, by getting around our country more.
“But as time moves on, we’ll get to more of the Milans, the Madrids and the Bayern Munichs, as well as out to see Hendo.”
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