On Saturday, Jordan Henderson made his debut for Ajax Amsterdam in a highly anticipated match against unbeaten leaders PSV Eindhoven. The 33-year-old former Liverpool captain, who recently joined the Dutch club from Saudi club Al Ettifaq, played the full 90 minutes and put on an impressive performance in the midfield. England manager Gareth Southgate was present at the Johan Cruyff Arena to witness Henderson's debut.
Reflecting on the game, Henderson expressed his delight, describing it as a 'very good game.' The atmosphere at the stadium was nothing short of incredible, and the occasion held great significance for Henderson and his family. Representing Ajax for the first time and playing in such an iconic stadium made the experience even more special for him.
Ajax took the lead in the 19th minute through Steven Berghuis, but PSV managed to equalize just before halftime courtesy of Luuk de Jong. Henderson acknowledged the strength of the PSV team, who have remained unbeaten throughout the entire season. Despite this, he felt that Ajax had good opportunities to win the game, especially towards the end. However, they were unable to find the back of the net and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
PSV's dominance in the league is evident as they have won 18 out of their 20 matches this season, with the remaining two ending in draws. They currently hold a comfortable 13-point lead over second-placed Feyenoord, who are yet to play their match on Sunday. In contrast, Ajax had a slow start to the season but have since recovered. They currently find themselves in fifth place, 21 points adrift from PSV.
Henderson acknowledged that there is still room for improvement in his first outing wearing the Ajax jersey. Despite this, he expressed joy and gratitude for the privilege and honor of playing for the club. He believes there is plenty to build on from this performance and looks forward to contributing to Ajax's future success.
Henderson's selection for the England national team has been a topic of discussion since his move to Saudi Arabia. However, he has been consistently chosen by manager Gareth Southgate, despite opposition from some supporters. Surprisingly, Henderson was unaware that Southgate was in attendance for the match. He simply expressed the hope that Southgate enjoyed the game.
It is clear that Jordan Henderson's debut for Ajax Amsterdam was a memorable moment for him. The match against PSV Eindhoven provided an opportunity to showcase his skills and adaptability in a new environment. As he continues his journey with the Dutch club, fans eagerly anticipate witnessing his further contributions on the field.
