CRYSTAL PALACE goalkeeper Dean Henderson gave a fascinating insight into Thomas Tuchel’s first training camp as England manager – as said the aim is to win the 2026 World Cup.
Henderson has been impressed with the high standards in training under Tuchel, who guided Chelsea to the Champions League title in 2021.
Henderson also admitted he approached the camp “in a different frame of mind” as he aims to challenge Jordan Pickford for the No.1 jersey.
Tuchel has shown he is not swayed by previous decisions as he recalled 34-year-old Jordan Henderson who was left out of the Euro 2024 squad by Gareth Southgate.
Tuchel has made no secret of the fact that his aim is to win the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico next year.
“There’s excitement around the place, of course, which is normal,” Henderson said. “I joined in a possession [game] and it was so fast and free-flowing, and the standard was so high, and obviously it gets everyone excited with everything that’s ahead of us.
“You’d like to think that a new manager, a clean slate and if you do your bit, you’ll get rewarded. I’ve come in with high optimism and I’m really excited for the new challenge and what’s ahead. I’m really looking forward to seeing what it holds.
“I’ve come into camp in a different frame of mind. I’m really excited to see what’s ahead. I’ve just got to try and work really hard in training, put your best foot forward and hopefully impress and see where that takes you. I’ve just got to try and train the best I can and hopefully leave a good impression.
“First and foremost, we can only control what we can control. That’s this camp, and winning the games in front of us. But obviously with the new manager coming in, the sole aim is to win the World Cup, and we know that.
“We don’t have many training days before that really, when you look at it, so we’ve got to make the most of it.”
Henderson has been the Eagles’ first choice this season and has nine Premier League clean sheets. Only Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels and Arsenal’s David Raya having kept more.
Pickford, 31, has 74 caps and has been the No.1 since 2018, but Henderson, 28, is up for the challenge of trying to dislodge the Everton goalkeeper.
“Jordan got in at a time when there was a change and he took the opportunity, “Henderson said. “He’s done brilliantly well and obviously ran with it for a long, long time. Credit to him, he’s done a fantastic job.
“At the end of the day, if you come to camp and you’ve got to support as a number two and a number three, you’ve got to be the best team-mate you can to make sure he performs. But then, obviously, you’re always chomping at the bit for your own opportunity.
“[You have to] bide your time, stay patient, don’t get disappointed, don’t give up and then just keep going. Hopefully, one day, everything will come.
“It’s no secret I think all the goalkeepers will come here to the camp and obviously want to play, of course. I think that’s the level we’re all at. It’s all professional on the pitch. We all train well together, help each other.
“At the end of the day, it comes down to what the manager wants, and what the manager decides, you go with and you support.”
Henderson said Tuchel’s first message to the squad was about “togetherness”. Henderson added: “Building that up and holding tight onto it, on and off the pitch as well, and at big moments in games as well.
“When it gets late and you’re in the trenches, that’s what you’re going to draw back on, that togetherness, really helping each other out and communicating through difficult scenarios. That comes from how tight you are as a group, and how much you look out for your mate as well.
“I think it will be built a lot around that. It’s something we’re not lacking in the group. We’re very together, but if we can add extra layers, it’s only going to benefit us.”
Meanwhile, Henderson believes it is only a matter of time before his club team-mate Adam Wharton is back in the squad. Midfielder Wharton, 21, has had an injury-hit campaign but did join in some senior training before linking up with the under-21s.
Henderson said: “I think from Adam’s point of view he probably didn’t expect to get called up, just because he was back so soon and I think he only played one full 90 minutes.
“But to even get as close as he probably got to a call-up just shows how good of a player he is, so obviously I’m sure that will change if he keeps performing really well.
“Obviously he’s been training with us the last couple of days and he’s a really great character, so I just hope he can stay fit and keep putting up performances.
“He’s a phenomenal footballer and his IQ is high, so he’s got to keep developing that and keep getting better and better.”
Henderson has one goal for next year: “To be on that flight, in all fairness!
“To be on that flight, that’s the main aim in that space of time. That would be an incredible achievement to go to the World Cup with my country – hopefully I can.”
