---
title: "Liverpool: Jordan Henderson among definite England starters, suggests Chris Waddle"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-jordan-henderson-among-definite-england-starters-suggests-chris-waddle/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Stephan Georgiou"
section: "Features"
published: "2019-09-08T18:10:24Z"
modified: "2019-09-08T18:10:24Z"
---

# Liverpool: Jordan Henderson among definite England starters, suggests Chris Waddle

**Former England international Chris Waddle believes as many as five places in the Three Lions squad are set in stone – and thinks Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson occupies one of them.**

Waddle was covering England’s latest European Championship qualifier for BBC Radio 5 Live when he made the comments, as Gareth Southgate’s side ran out easy 4-0 winners over [Bulgaria](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49533275) at Wembley.

A Harry Kane hat-trick and a Raheem Sterling strike maintained England’s perfect record in [Group A](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/european-championship-qualifying/table), as they top the group having played at least a game fewer than the rest of their qualifying opponents.

The ease at which England are progressing towards a spot at the finals in June was all too apparent for Waddle – and highlighted those in the squad who he says are assured of their place in Southgate’s squad in nine months’ time.

He [said](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/49369600): “We haven’t seen a team in this group who has been near England. They are far, far too good for this group. It’s all about how they do at the European Championships next year.

“\[Jordan\] Pickford, \[Harry\] Maguire, \[Jordan\] Henderson, \[Raheem\] Sterling and \[Harry\] Kane are the definite starters for me. The rest of \[the\] places are still up for grabs heading into the Euros.”

It could be argued that there are not too many surprises in Waddle’s summation of the quality in England’s squad – with Sterling and Kane in goalscoring form at the weekend, while [Pickford](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jordan-pickford/nationalmannschaft/spieler/130164) and [Maguire](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/harry-maguire/nationalmannschaft/spieler/177907) notched a third clean sheet in five games for the Three Lions with their latest shutout.

Meanwhile, Henderson’s value to the squad may go a little understated – with the Liverpool midfielder [yet to score](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jordan-henderson/nationalmannschaft/spieler/61651) for his country and has only played the full 90 minutes twice since the conclusion of the 2018 World Cup.

Though as a victorious Reds [captain](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48368443) – and having previously worn the [armband](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jordan-henderson/nationalmannschaft/spieler/61651) for England – perhaps his experience of conquering the continent for his club will be of similar value to Southgate as he prepares his squad to do the same on the international stage – hence Waddle’s recommendation to ensure Henderson of a starting place at Euro 2020.

***Do you think Henderson’s place in the England starting XI is assured? Who could replace him, if anyone? Join the discussion by commenting below!***