Jordan Henderson’s dream of captaining Ajax to the Eredivisie title could turn into a nightmare after the Amsterdam club’s recent meltdown.
With just two points from its last three games, Ajax now faces the final match of the season needing to defeat FC Twente and hoping that new leaders PSV Eindhoven stumble at Sparta Rotterdam – with Max Verstappen hoping for some final day heartbreak for Henderson. The former Reds captain has enjoyed a remarkable turnaround since his near-move to Monaco in January, but faces the prospect of missing out on the title.
Adding another layer to this dramatic tale, Sparta are managed by Maurice Steijn, the coach Ajax dismissed last season. His son, Sem Steijn, will spearhead the Twente attack, aiming to add to his impressive 23-goal tally for the season as he vies for the Eredivisie’s Golden Boot.
The stage is set for a thrilling final day – so much so that league bosses have had a second championship trophy made to ensure all eventualities are covered.
Henderson, 34, has been called back into the England squad by Thomas Tuchel after missing out on the Euros last summer and is tipped to be selected for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra next month.
He will lead Ajax in front of a packed 50,000 crowd at the Johan Cruyff Arena, just days after they conceded a late equaliser in the ninth minute of injury time in a 2-2 draw with mid-table Groningen, handing the advantage to PSV, reports the Mirror.
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Their torrid spell kicked off with a 4-0 thrashing at Utrecht last month – the heaviest defeat Ajax has suffered against this club since the inception of the Eredivisie in 1953.
This was followed by a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against Sparta, and then a crushing 3-0 loss to NEC Nijmegen on their own turf.
Henderson, who hoisted the Premier League trophy aloft in 2020 at a deserted Anfield amidst the covid pandemic, has remained tight-lipped with the Dutch press as Ajax’s form has dipped. Italian gaffer Francesco Farioli opted for a squad brimming with seasoned players against Nijmegen, banking on their experience – only to witness his side dismantled.
The dramatic stalemate against Groningen on Wednesday evening ignited a full-scale melee on the pitch involving players and coaching staff from both sides.
Farioli stated: “If this season has taught us anything it is that literally anything can happen. That is the faith and confidence we have to have.
“There are still 90 minutes to play and we have to make sure we finish in the best possible way. This group really deserves to end with a nice game in the Johan Cruyff Arena.”
(Image: Getty Images)
