Jordan Henderson has defended his transfer to Saudi Arabia within the former Liverpool captain’s first in-depth interview since his switch to Al Ettifaq.
The midfielder spoke about a variety of subjects, together with the backlash from LGBT teams, plus the reported large sums of cash he was supplied to modify to the Center East.
Henderson denied the claims he’s incomes £700,00-a-week at Al Ettifaq – actually, he insists cash was ‘by no means talked about’ throughout his discussions with supervisor Steven Gerrard in regards to the transfer.
The England star reveals he felt a ‘shift’ at Liverpool over the summer season after ‘sincere’ conversations with Jurgen Klopp over his position and felt it was time to maneuver on to maintain taking part in common soccer.
He additionally mentioned the widespread criticism he has obtained, together with from folks and causes he helps, ‘damage’ him and insisted he nonetheless helps the exact same causes and holds them near his coronary heart.
And it’s for that cause why he believes his transfer to Saudi can solely be a ‘optimistic factor’.
Chatting with The Athletic, Henderson mentioned: “I see that as a optimistic factor.
“I see that as a result of, from their (Saudi) facet, they knew that earlier than signing it. In order that they knew what my beliefs had been. They knew what causes and campaigns I’ve carried out previously and never as soon as was it introduced up.
“Not as soon as have they mentioned, ‘You are able to do this, you may’t do that’, and I believe it may possibly solely be a optimistic factor to attempt to open up like round Qatar.
“Ultimately, round Qatar, having a World Cup there shined a light-weight on sure points the place I believe in the long run, I could be fallacious, however they modified some guidelines and laws to have the ability to host the World Cup and I believe that’s optimistic.
“That’s the best way you attempt to create optimistic change. And I’m not saying that I can do this. I’m one individual.
“I’m not a politician. I by no means have been and by no means wished to be. I’ve by no means tried to alter legal guidelines or guidelines in England, by no means thoughts in a distinct nation the place I’m not from. So I’m not saying that I’m going there to try this.
“However what I’m saying is folks know what my values are and the individuals who know me know what my values are. And my values don’t change as a result of I’m going to a distinct nation the place the legal guidelines of the nation could be totally different.”
