After the Premier League winning captain Jordan Henderson was named FWA Player of the Year on Friday, many prominent figures in the world of English football journalism got to explaining why they believed the Liverpool man was a worthy recipient of the award.
Following on from the likes of Mohamed Salah, Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson has become only the fourth Liverpool player in 30 years to be named Player of the Year by the Football Writers' Association.
The inspiring captain of Liverpool's Premier League winning side, the English midfielder saw off the likes of teammate Sadio Mane and Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne to claim the award.
While the news of Henderson's achievement has been warmly received among fans of Liverpool, there have been those who consider the award a token gesture.
In response to this a number of prominent journalists from the world of English football, including a number who voted for Henderson, have been supporting the decision.
Liverpool's Jordan Henderson lifts the English Premier League trophy following the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, July 22, 2020.FWA chair, Carrie Brown: “Jordan is ultimate professional & bona fide LFC legend... a player team-mates look to on pitch & rivals off it. Voting criteria for FWA is one who leads by precept & example. Jordan personally rallied club captains to establish #Playeogether." #FOTY20
— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) July 24, 2020
Jordan Henderson, the 2019-20 FWA Player of the Year. An award that is richly deserved; an outstanding player and person. The 12th individual player to win it from Liverpool.
— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) July 24, 2020
I voted Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson for #FOTY20 for his leadership on and off the pitch. When he does not play the best team in the country (and the world currently!) are not quite the same. Says it all.
— Jason Burt (@JBurtTelegraph) July 24, 2020
#LFC skipper Jordan Henderson being named Footballer of the Year is proof journalists really do know what they’re on about. Sometimes 🔴
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) July 24, 2020
For what it's worth, I voted De Bruyne https://t.co/X8wtchp1NB But Henderson has been outstanding and inspirational and is without question a worthy winner for so many reasons
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) July 24, 2020
#LFC captain Jordan Henderson deservedly crowned @theofficialfwa Footballer of the Year. Reward not just for his outstanding performances on the field in leading Jurgen Klopp's side to the title but also for the way he's conducted himself off it. An inspirational leader.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) July 24, 2020
So much of the talk around Henderson focuses on his leadership qualities, work ethic, mentality, professionalism and how he epitomises this Liverpool team etc. All that is true, but it shouldn't mask the fact he is a phenomenal footballer in his own right.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) July 24, 2020
Jordan Henderson is the FWA Footballer of the Year.
A driving force. The epitome of dedication.
These words from Trent Alexander-Arnold resonate: "We wouldn't be where we are now without him. The team is always his first thought: none of us do that more for Liverpool than Hendo" pic.twitter.com/S5yTZrXeEF— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) July 24, 2020
Genuine Q: Why do people get so worked up about who other people consider to be good footballers?
— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) July 24, 2020
I voted for De Bruyne, because he is just sublime, the best player in the league, among best England has seen.
But for driving Liverpool harder than anyone, for silencing doubters, for shutting up Matt Hancock - and for playing some very good football, Jordan is a worthy winner. https://t.co/fmneAu7oOe— Jonathan Northcroft (@JNorthcroft) July 24, 2020
Nevertheless, there were many - journalists and fans alike - who felt the decision should have went a different way.
Voted for Trent Alexander-Arnold for POTY.
Can’t really understand why there’s such a heave for Henderson, beyond “being captain” and “leadership”. There are at least five LFC players ahead of in terms of “playing”.— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) July 23, 2020
Football Writers.....Henderson has been great but that's an emotional vote. De Bruyne, Mane, TAA, Van Dijk all more deserving. Would never happen outside England. They vote for the best. That's why it always Messi or Ronaldo and not Ramos or Pique https://t.co/Nrd0UpUcXM
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) July 24, 2020
Henderson is good but it feels like the English football world loves romanticising dull midfield types.
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) July 24, 2020
It's Mane and it's not even particularly close between him and Henderson.
— Stephen with a v (@steveohrourke) July 24, 2020
Virgil Van Dijk or Sadio Mane would be my player of the season and Trent Alexander-Arnold the young player
— Phil Egan (@philegansport) July 24, 2020
There was no shortage of positive feeling about Henderson's winning of the award, however.
Well deserved, couldn’t give it to a better guy! MY CAPTAIN ❤️ https://t.co/A41L2yDQfW
— Andy Robertson (@andrewrobertso5) July 24, 2020
Congratulations to @JHenderson on becoming @theofficialfwa footballer of the year. Fitting tribute after brilliantly leading a superb @LFC side to the Premier League title. 👏🏻👏🏻
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) July 24, 2020
#LFC captain Jordan Henderson deservedly crowned @theofficialfwa Footballer of the Year. Reward not just for his outstanding performances on the field in leading Jurgen Klopp's side to the title but also for the way he's conducted himself off it. An inspirational leader.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) July 24, 2020
On Friday's OTB AM, David Meyler, a former teammate and close friend of Jordan Henderson, explained why he believed the Liverpool captain would be a worthy winner of the award.
You can watch that interview back in full here.
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