At the end of last season, England midfielder Jordan Henderson was facing a possible decrease in playing time at Liverpool, which had moved to strengthen its midfield. Seeking regular treatment, the player was persuaded by manager Steven Gerrard to go to Saudi Arabia.
However, the financial ties to the top teams are obvious, and his team, Al Ettifaq, has less than half the points they have earned against the top of the table.
In addition to his poor performance, life in the Middle East did not suit his skin, and he planned to leave Saudi Arabia in six months. He eventually settled down and joined Ajax in the Netherlands.
Neil Jones, a British journalist, touched on the former Liverpool captain’s decision last summer, and speculated that he was filled with a great deal of regret, and expressed his hope that he could make a difference in Amsterdam.
“Ah, the Jordan Henderson situation. The end of an error, you could call it.
“Firstly, good luck to him at Ajax. Not a bad move for him, in terms of football, lifestyle and prestige. The Eredivisie giants may be struggling this season, but they remain one of the game’s great clubs, and they seem understandably delighted to have landed a player of Henderson’s pedigree.”
“As for the Saudi Arabian experiment, I’m sure Jordan himself would reflect on that and feel some pangs of regret. He took a big risk, professionally and reputationally, moving to Al Ettifaq, and it didn’t pay off.”
“I think a lot of the issues he encountered over there, on and off the field, could have been predicted beforehand, and I think Liverpool’s subsequent success without him has only added to the sense that he took both a hasty decision, and the wrong one, in leaving Anfield.”
“Still, that’s football, and Henderson will know that. At least now, he has the chance to start enjoying the game again. I’m sure he’ll relish the challenge in Amsterdam.”
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