Jordan Henderson has been labelled a ‘pointless investment’ and a ‘panic buy’ for Ajax by Dutch journalists just hours after inking a two-and-a-half year deal with the Eredivisie side.
The former Liverpool captain called time on his ill-fated six-month stint at Saudi Pro League team Al-Ettifaq on Thursday after struggling to settle in the Kingdom.
In joining Ajax, Henderson will be tasked with helping the beleagured club elevate their standings after a dismal start to the season that sees them sit fifth in the league, and 23 points off league leaders PSV Eindhoven.
But despite landing the heavily decorated former Reds midfielder at a comparatively cut price in the wake of his £350,000-a-week salary in Saudi Arabia, columnist Valentijn Driessen was unconvinced as to how the player might actually help John van’t Schip’s team.
Writing in De Telegraaf on Friday, Driessen described the 33-year-old as ‘no saviour’ and a ‘panic buy’.
Jordan Henderson has swapped Saudi Arabia for Amsterdam with a January move to Ajax
The player lasted just half a season at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq before rejoining the European top flight
Henderson has been intent on keeping his place in the England starting line-up ahead of this summer’s European championships
‘All signals are on red, but Ajax is just pushing hard and reaching deep into their pockets for midfielder Jordan Henderson,’ the columnist wrote.
‘A case of buying for which the fallen Ajax has to write off about 25 million euros (£21.4m) in two and a half years. Panic buying can also be successful, but Henderson is past his peak after three years at Sunderland, twelve years at Liverpool and a half a year at Al-Ettifaq.
‘Henderson, who succeeds two failed English signings (Calvin Bassey and Chuba Akpom) is an extremely expensive gamble,’ Driessen continued.
‘No matter how well regarded he is and seen a saviour in Amsterdam, Liverpool’s Henderson would never have chosen to play in the Eredivisie’.
Henderson could yet not see a penny of his hefty wages, having deferred payments for the last six months, and sources in reporting that the player might never be paid what he is owed.
It is thought that the reason for deferring his wages was done for tax reasons, reportedly having done so in part to return to the UK and represent England.
UK law stipulates that any person that spends more than 90 days in the country is…