Jordan Henderson has opened up about his controversial decision to make a move to the Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.
The former Liverpool midfielder decided to make the move to the Saudi side now managed by another former Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard.
The midfielder decided to sit down with David Ornstein and Adam Crafton of The Athletic to talk about his decision to move to the club and indeed leave Liverpool after an illustrious period at Anfield.
Speaking to the pair, Henderson said on his move to the Middle East: “I’m at the latter stage of my career and I want to be happy playing football.
“I want to play. I don’t want to be sitting on the bench and coming on for 10 minutes in games. And I knew that would have an effect on my chances of playing for England.”
Different league and culture played a part in his move
When asked why he moved to the Saudi side and not stay in the Premier League at Brighton & Hove Albion or Brentford for example, Henderson believes he needed a change of scenery.
“This opportunity with Stevie (Gerrard) in a totally different league and totally different culture was something completely different, that maybe it would excite us in terms of the project that was put in front of us, in terms of the league and using my experience to try to help with that in many different areas and feeling that people value.”
Henderson’s wages
It has been widely reported that the midfielder is set to pocket around £700,000 a week from Al-Ettifaq according to the Daily Mail.
The former Sunderland man has responded to those claims, too.
“No. I wish it was (laughs). No, honestly, the numbers just aren’t true,” Henderson said when asked about his rumoured wage package. “But again, it had to work out for us financially as well.
“I’m not saying that it didn’t and I’m not saying, “Oh, I’m not on good money” because it’s good money and it was a good deal but it wasn’t the numbers that were reported. No.”
Henderson has started well for the Saudi side and after the signing of former Liverpool teammate Georginio Wijnaldum, the Englishman may well begin to feel more settled and happy in his new environment.