Gary Neville and Roy Keane have heaped praise on Jordan Henderson and believe the Liverpool captain does not receive the credit he deserves - although the latter joked he 'should be more generous' after a recent meeting with him.
Henderson has started England's last two outings against Wales and Senegal, impressing on both occasions due to his leadership qualities in midfield and blossoming relationship with Jude Bellingham.
Eyebrows were raised by some when the 32-year-old was selected to feature from the off versus Wales, but Henderson has proven his doubters wrong with two assured displays for his country and will look to replicate such high standards versus France on Saturday evening.
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Keane is one individual who has witnessed the rise of Liverpool's No.14, having handed Henderson his first-team debut at Sunderland in November 2008. Providing his view on why the Champions League and Premier League winner is not appreciated by all, he told ITV: "I suppose so [he’s been doubted] probably because he’s not great on the eye, you think of the way he plays. He’s won battles throughout his career and his dad makes a great point - it almost felt at Sunderland he loved the game.
"He did well at Sunderland and goes to Liverpool, which wasn’t easy at the start, with Gerrard there. He plays with a great player and people try and compare him then to have leadership roles at Liverpool. The stuff on the pitch, off the pitch, he has done amazing stuff and his family must be proud of him. I’ve always liked Jordan, he’s pretty humble.
"Saying that, I met him a few months ago for breakfast and I had to pay for it. Holding that against him a little bit. He should be a bit more generous," Keane joked.
Echoing this sentiment, Neville added: "Watching that has made me quite emotional because of the normality of it, his dad and speaking about him. All those boys and girls dreaming about playing for England, they’ll love the fashionable players: Grealish, Foden and Bellingham, who are all heroes, but you want your son or daughter to have the qualities of Jordan Henderson, who gives his all every single day, achieves maximum in his life and never gives in. Then off the pitch, he’s a decent man and, to be fair, he should get a lot more plaudits than what he gets."
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