Former Ajax star Rafael van der Vaart has slammed Jordan Henderson’s performances since arriving at the club, saying he has brought ‘zero quality’ to the side.
Henderson ended his failed move to Saudi Arabia last month, terminating his contract with Al-Ettifaq and signing for Ajax on a two-and-a-half year deal.
The England midfielder has started four matches for the Dutch giants since then, three in the Eredivisie and one in the Europa Conference League and he is still looking for his first win in an Ajax shirt.
The 33-year-old has drawn three and lost one for his new side so far and Van der Vaart has not been impressed with his impact.
‘Ajax have brought in players with zero quality,’ the former Netherlands star told Ziggo Sport.
‘The club will now have to see out the rest of the season. They have brought in Jordan Henderson. All he does is to play a little pass out wide, or a little pass back. But nobody will be happy with that.’
Ajax go to Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt on Thursday after drawing at home with them in the first leg of their Conference League tie.
Van der Vaart expects his old club to progress, but reckons it will be better for them to go out soon after and forget about this season.
‘You’ll see on Thursday that they will get through their Conference League tie against Bodo/Glimt with all the luck in the world,’ he said. ‘Afterwards it’s best for them to get knocked out, and to make a fresh start next season.
‘As an Ajax man my heart bleeds. I don’t know what I can say about them any more.’
Ajax’s hopes of the Eredivisie title this season are already over, sitting fifth in the table and 26 points behind leaders PSV.
Despite his woes so far this season in Saudi Arabia and Netherlands, Rio Ferdinand is still backing Henderson to be picked in Gareth Southgate’s England squad this summer at Euro 2024.
‘I think Henderson should go I’ve got to be honest because I think he brings more than just as a player,’ the former Manchester United and England defender said on FIVE.
‘His presence, when you’re in a dressing room you need certain heads there who have experience, who know how to win, who know how to generate an environment that is conducive to winning.
‘He knows how to do that, he’s been a captain of a team that has won multiple trophies, there ain’t too many in that dressing room who know how to do that.’
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