Eyebrows were raised when Jordan Henderson was signed in the summer. When Henderson was named in the starting lineup on Saturday, eyebrows were raised.
Chelsea’s new signing would have gone a long way to making doubters look foolish. After all, 36 is the new 26.
Henderson’s impressive debut at his former club Brentford was somewhat overshadowed by the result and the Blues’ second-half capitulation. However, while others on the training ground for three weeks were on international duty, Henderson was working closely behind the scenes with the Chelsea squad and those not representing their country.
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Henderson’s seamless transition into Chelsea’s midfield came as no shock to those who work with him on a day-to-day basis. Sources close to Chelsea described Henderson football.london as a “standard setter” last month. We haven’t seen the former Liverpool captain on the pitch for the Blues at the time, but those who know what goes on behind closed doors have been more than complimentary of the midfielder.
Henderson’s performance in Saturday afternoon’s 5-1 win against Bournemouth showed why Chelsea have changed their transfer strategy in the summer window. Xabi Alonso has been asked about Henderson a number of times since signing the veteran midfielder, and each time the Blues boss speaks with such admiration.
Henderson was no different after scoring his first two goals for Chelsea – two beautiful ones – and an assist in the win over the Cherries. Alonso was asked a tongue-in-cheek question about whether Henderson was signed purely for his goalscoring ability and replied: “We signed him for everything. If he can score two great goals like today, we’re very happy for him.
“But apart from the goals, he did very, very good things. I think it was a very perfect performance today.”
Hard to disagree with Alonso. Henderson was everything Chelsea have been crying out for for a long time.
The Blues’ inexperience and lack of game intelligence have let them down for a long time. Henderson was constantly there to calm everyone down. Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, two extremely exciting attacking players, had a couple of occasions when they wanted to move the ball forward, but Henderson was having none of it. And for good reason.
Chelsea were going ahead at the time, two goals to the good and Bournemouth looked defeated. There was a debate about whether the hosts wanted to end the game with a third goal at Stamford Bridge, but such a reward came with too much risk. If they were too attacking, the Cherries were there, ready to counter-attack – and that was the only time they could score at that point in the game.
Henderson was the calming voice to keep the game from getting manic. Alonso said at the start of the season that he was keen to play a boring match as long as his team was on the winning side. In the Premier League it is impossible to control a game from start to finish, but over time control is fragmented with players like Henderson providing options for team-mates.
Chelsea had to make do with parts. There was a time when Bournemouth threatened to claw their way back into the game after Evanilson’s poor goal. However, the Blues regained control thanks to the attacking talent they had on the pitch.
It was a mature performance from Chelsea for the most part; where they look like they’ve turned a corner. It won’t be like this every week, but it’s the kind of performance that many supporters don’t feel this side is capable of.
For the most part, Chelsea’s players remained calm. However, there was a time when Pedro Neto was furious with Moises Caicedo and then Henderson for not playing on the right and expressed his frustration with the pair before the Blues took possession. But Neto picked his head up and continued his fine performance at right-back.
He was one of many Chelsea players who had a great performance at Stamford Bridge, but Henderson clearly stood out. He inspired the win and restored Alonso’s faith in him – not just to start him against Bournemouth, but to sign him in the first place.
Henderson’s first goal in particular meant a lot to him. He clutched his ear—perhaps because of his age to those who wrote him—and screamed in joy repeatedly as his teammates surrounded him.
Sources describe Henderson as a very popular figure despite only being in the dressing room for a few months. It’s the same when he’s on international duty with England. What he brings to the table behind the scenes is unquestionable, but what’s on the field is in question.
We need a longer sample size, but so far Henderson has been huge on the field. It will be interesting to see if Alonso takes his pick with the former Liverpool captain, who will be booed at the Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend for his links to the red half of the city. But Henderson will be able to handle it – he’ll probably enjoy what’s coming his way.
Chelsea will learn the extent of Rhys James’ latest injury in the next few days. The Blues captain was unavailable for selection for England at the most recent break, but Alonso was then declared fit on Friday afternoon.
But moments earlier, James injured his knee in Chelsea’s final training session before Bournemouth. Alonso may not have known anything about it when he spoke to the press. Sources described the problem as “minor,” but it’s one we should learn more about next week.
In one sense, it’s a positive that his latest issue has nothing to do with the hamstring he’s struggled with an incredible amount of over the last few years, but on another note, it’s pretty disappointing for James.
In any case, Alonso would have been encouraged by the midfield display against Bournemouth. Caicedo and Henderson were arguably the Blues’ most promising and impressive midfield combination so far during Alonso’s tenure. Romeo Lavia came on in the second half and impressed.
Asked specifically about Caicedo and Henderson’s partnership, Alonso explained: “Both [players] it is different in terms of qualities and position. I think they help each other well and provide presence and stability.
“You know they’re going to help the rest because they understand the game, not just because of their quality.
“They can play in shorter spaces, but they have a good balance defensively. For me, it’s important that we strengthen that area and I’m sure with Moises, Hendo played today, it was his second game. Romeo also played good minutes.
“Reece played a little bit there for a few minutes and [Valentin] Barco, so we have to continue to build around that.”
Not perfect than Chelsea, but much, much better. When a midfielder works like he did on Saturday afternoon, it makes everyone’s job a lot easier. Now it’s about doing it right every week.
With Caicedo available, it will be much simpler.