John Terry accuses FA of ‘PR job’ over Henderson support
John Terry has accused the Football Association of carrying out a “PR job” after Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers publicly praised Jordan Henderson following his controversial inclusion in England’s World Cup squad, reports BritPanorama.
The former England captain questioned the timing of comments made by Bellingham and Rogers on the England’s Lions Den podcast, suggesting it was unusual for current players to discuss Henderson’s selection so prominently. The decision to include Henderson in manager Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad ignited debate, particularly as it excluded younger talents like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Adam Wharton, and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Despite the controversy, Henderson remains a popular figure within the England camp and could potentially play in his fourth World Cup. Speaking on the podcast, Bellingham noted Henderson’s role in fostering team spirit: “He’s so funny, the funniest guy in camp. He gets everyone laughing, and he gets everyone together.”
Terry expressed his reservations about the comments, appearing on Piers Morgan Uncensored and saying, “I don’t think it’s for them to talk about, but I felt like the FA were kind of addressing something that everyone’s been talking about.” Nonetheless, he voiced his support for Henderson’s inclusion, stating, “I’ve got Jordan Henderson’s back on this 100 per cent… he’s a top, top player.”
Moreover, Terry expressed disappointment over the omission of experienced players Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw from the squad, calling it a significant loss. He added, “I think Jordan Henderson is 100 per cent that player for us,” highlighting the midfielder’s potential impact as a late substitute during matches.
As England prepares to begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Arlington on Wednesday evening, Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson are expected to start in midfield, with either Bellingham or Rogers likely to operate in the No 10 role behind captain Harry Kane. The Three Lions will also face Ghana and Panama in the group stage as they aim for a strong showing in the tournament.
The selection process continues to animate debates around team dynamics and the importance of experienced players, proving once again that the intersection of sport and public perception is as compelling as the game itself.
