Jordan Henderson slammed "disrespectful" reporters as the Ajax midfielder hit back at reports about his proposed transfer to Monaco.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Henderson linked with Ajax exitMidfielder decided to stayHit out at media over reportsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Henderson had been strongly linked with a move to Monaco ahead of his team's Europa League win against Galatasaray, but has since agreed to stay at the Dutch side until the end of the season.
AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Due to the uncertainty about his future sparked, Henderson gave his captain's armband to Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer ahead of Thursday's European clash, sparking accusations of unprofessional behaviour. However, Henderson defended himself in a heated press conference that lasted almost 10 minutes after starring in Ajax's 2-1 win league win over Feyenoord on Sunday.
"I think 99% of people, if they knew the inside information, wouldn't have played the game [on Thursday]," he said. "But yet, people in this room have questioned my professionalism and me as a person. I think it's bang out of order. I've got a family, wife, kids, mum, dad, who read nonsense in the media from you guys."
WHAT HENDERSON SAID
Henderson added to : "Everyone knows the club's financial situation. Money has to be created and that can be done by letting big earners leave. I am one of the big earners. It's often about my salary in the media. The situation was that we had to decide whether it was worth pivoting or keeping my salary in this case. Those were difficult conversations. I said what I thought, but we jointly came to the conclusion that I should stay. I am happy with that. I will give everything for the club and the team. Of course I am happy to stay.
"My plan was to stay here at least until the end of the season and then re-evaluate. A lot of things were taken out of context in the press. That was disrespectful, they were lies. Untruths were told about me as a person. I tried to focus, but it feels painful. People may criticise me because of my game, but when it gets personal… I am a human being with family, parents, a wife and children. If they read things in the press that are not true, that is going too far. I don't know what their sources are, but it is not true."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR HENDERSON?
With his future cleared up, Henderson will hope to help Ajax to the Eredivisie title this season, with the Amsterdam club now two points behind PSV with a game in hand.