Sunderland AFC: Jordan Henderson transfer could offer bittersweet solution - View | OneFootball

Sunderland have been linked with a sensational homecoming for Jordan Henderson - but they must proceed with caution

An emotional homecoming for Jordan Henderson at the Stadium of Light could be on the cards, but Sunderland must not sacrifice their existing crop of young talent.

The 34-year-old has enjoyed a glittering career at the very summit of club football after leaving Sunderland for Liverpool in the summer of 2011.

A graduate of the Academy of Light, Henderson spent two successful seasons in the Premier League with his boyhood club before making a £16 million switch to Liverpool, where he led the side back to glory.

He had been touted as an eventual replacement for Steven Gerrard at the time and went on to clinch the one achievement that famously eluded the legendary midfielder - captaining the Reds to the Premier League title.

They won their first-ever Premier League title in the 2019/20 campaign, a year after Henderson captained them to a historic UEFA Champions League triumph over Tottenham Hotspur.

He has, however, endured a tricky old time of it after bringing his illustrious twelve-year stay with Liverpool to a close last summer. Henderson made a controversial decision to reunite with Gerrard at Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq, although he only lasted six months there before returning to Europe in a move to Ajax back in January.

But nine months on and Henderson can count just 16 appearances in the Eredivisie to his name, meaning he could be poised to pack his bags once again before long.

Sunderland linked with potential Jordan Henderson return

Henderson is seemingly surplus to requirements in the Dutch capital, where he has made just two league starts under new boss Francesco Farioli so far this season.

As such, it has been claimed in a recent report by The Sun that Henderson could be in the market for a January exit just a year on from his arrival.

According to the report, some Premier League clubs have been alerted to his potential availability, while leading Championship outfits are running the rule over a loan deal including Sunderland.

The Black Cats have enjoyed a blistering start to the new Championship season under Regis Le Bris, who has guided them to the top of the table after nine matches and is finally helping his side to see the fruits of their labour in terms of recruiting, developing and persisting with a youthful core to the squad.

Potential Jordan Henderson, Sunderland reunion could be bittersweet

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman both received criticism for prioritising a youth-centred philosophy to squad recruitment at the expense of acquiring well-versed senior leadership and experience during the previous season, where Sunderland wound up in 16th position.

Sunderland's top-brass have adopted a progressive and sustainable strategy which involves recruiting young talent at a low cost, predominantly from lesser-known overseas markets and entrusting them with first-team opportunities in the hope of optimising resale value further down the line.

They have had the youngest squad by measure of average age in the Championship across the last two seasons, and their persistence is finally paying off.

Sunderland's electrifying introduction to the current campaign has been largely helped by an indispensible midfield trio made up of Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg and Daniel Neil, all of whom are aged 22 or under.

Indeed, the former two are both still in their teens and are the Sunderland players who appear most likely to net the club handsome fees at certain stages in the future, and they cannot allow the development of their prized assets to be halted by the arrival of a player very much in his twilight.

Meanwhile, both Neil and Rigg are homegrown academy products who are now right up there with the finest midfielders at Championship level. Their progression in recent times is indicative of just how well Sunderland have done with their academy, too.

Of course, the sheer sentimentalism of the move would mean that a lot of Sunderland supporters would love to see a return for Henderson. He is still fondly remembered among fans to this day, and seeing out his playing days at his boyhood club would mark a fitting fairytale end to his career.

The midfielder would offer second-to-none experience, leadership and know-how by Championship standards, having earned his stripes at football's very highest echelons, and that could represent an overwhelming positive for Sunderland both in the Championship and, it will be hoped, in the Premier League as well.

They are ambitious about returning to the big time and have every chance at doing so, and Henderson's experience in the top-flight would come up trumps even more in the event of promotion.

Despite enduring a drastic fall from grace over the last twelve months or so, Henderson still possesses the requisite quality to flourish at second-tier level and, in that sense, it would represent a real coup to bring him back to the club.

Doing so would come with many natural perks, but if Sunderland are exploring that option then they must not consider sacrificing any of their young midfield crop.