Jordan Henderson has reportedly vowed to stay at Ajax until the summer after backing down on his demand to join Monaco.
According to Amsterdam-based daily De Telegraaf, the former England international told the club yesterday he wouldn’t play for them again if they didn’t allow him to move to Monte Carlo in this transfer window.
Henderson was subsequently stripped of the captaincy but still played in last night’s Europa League win over Galatasaray.
However, according to De Telegraaf, Henderson has performed a complete u-turn and, speaking after the game in the dressing room, informed the club he will stay until the end of the season.
Een bizarre plotwending! Jordan Henderson (34) heeft er spijt van dat hij voor en tijdens het duel met Galatasaray (2-1) op een breuk met Ajax heeft aangestuurd. Volgens bronnen rondom de speler heeft hij beloofd het seizoen te zullen afmaken in Amsterdam. https://t.co/EOx6dqGbOX
— De Telegraaf (@telegraaf) January 31, 2025
The 34-year-old joined Ajax 12 months ago after an ill-fated spell in Saudi Arabia and has thrived, helping them to second place in the Eredivisie behind PSV Eindhoven.
And his initial willingness to jump ship infuriated former Ajax defender Frank de Boer, who criticised Henderson for not facing the media and explaining his actions.
He told Ziggo Sport: “Henderson doesn’t have to appear in front of the camera before the match. He can just concentrate on the match and then appear in front of the camera.
“This is nonsense. Henderson has other things on his mind and doesn’t feel like responding.”
Sneijder calls for Henderson to “be a man”
Ex-Ajax and Real Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder was equally unimpressed and was baffled as to why Henderson did not wear the armband against Galatasaray without any proper explanation from either him or the club.
Sneijder said: “Don’t be so difficult. You just play that match with the armband on and then you say, ‘Yeah guys, I don’t know yet.’
“Something is going on. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.
“Be a man and stand up. Right now you get all this speculation and you create unrest. It could have been much calmer if he had just worn the armband.”