Valentijn Driessen is not happy with Jordan Henderson's debut, as is clear from his column The Telegraph after the match between Ajax and PSV (1-1). The journalist believes that the Amsterdam midfielder has been 'hyped' too much and that the 'hype' is now over. “Jordan Henderson firmly suppresses the Henderson hype,” said Driessen.

The top match between Ajax and PSV did not produce a winner on Saturday evening. In the Johan Cruijff ArenA the final score was 1-1 after ninety minutes. Steven Berghuis opened the score on behalf of Ajax, after which Luuk de Jong brought the score back into balance.

The draw means the second loss of points for leader PSV of this Eredivisie season. In the meantime, Ajax remains in fifth place due to the draw. One of the biggest disappointments in the match was Henderson, says Driessen.

“Long lines of supporters in front of the fan shop to buy an Ajax shirt with a Henderson print, praising stories from the training field and the gym from fellow players and compliments from the staff for his leadership and positive coaching; Henderson had not yet taken a step on the field in the Johan Cruijff ArenA and he seemed sent by God according to the entire Ajax family.”

“Against PSV, the English international and winner of the Premier League and Champions League with Liverpool had to bare his buttocks,” Driessen continues. “In one fell swoop, Henderson burst the balloon of expectations and put an end to the Henderson hype.”

“What a cold shower he gave everyone in the stadium, including England coach Gareth Southgate. At halftime it was even joked that it would be nice if the Englishman made his debut in the second half.”

“Invisible, perfunctory, with balls wide over a maximum of five meters and trudging behind PSV players, Henderson had no input whatsoever. Yes, he moved his mouth, played the traffic cop and clapped his hands, but for what or who exactly?”

“He didn't show any initiative on the ball, played the right color, but more backwards than forwards and once over the halfway line the new number 6 didn't see any options moving forward. And that in the Eredivisie, although against PSV, but not at the level of the Premier League. What poverty,” the columnist concludes.

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