Blades goalkeeper Dean Henderson has been left out of the England squad by manager, Gareth Southgate.
Gareth Southgate has left out Dean Henderson for England (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Henderson was included in the last round of fixtures but has not made the cut this time. Despite keeping the joint most clean-sheets in the Premier League, the Blades star hasn’t been picked.
Instead, Southgate has gone with Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, and Tom Heaton. It means Chris Wilder’s men once again have no representatives in the England squad, with Jack O’Connell also missing out.
Stats don’t lie
It’s quite perplexing in the main to see Henderson left out. He is topping so many stats categories that for Southgate to leave him out, he must have big trust in his current crop of ‘keepers.
Five clean-sheets, only eight goals conceded, and a 78% save percentage. These are just three of the stats where Henderson sits top of the pile.
Dean Henderson has kept five clean-sheets already for Sheffield United (Photo by Rich Linley – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Compared to number one Pickford, he is well ahead. He has conceded 17 goals – the second most outside of the bottom three. He’s also only kept three clean-sheets as the Toffees have struggled.
This is in no way a dig at Pickford. He is a fantastic goalkeeper in his own right. It’s just that, when you look at Henderson, it’s almost like someone is missing a trick.
What the fans are saying
Obviously, there is some natural bias from Blades fans towards Henderson. But, it’s not without substance.
Their goalkeeper is a massive favourite at Bramall Lane. He was a key figure in promotion last season and despite a mistake against Liverpool this year, he’s once again made big saves.
So, just what are the Blades fans saying. We’ve taken a closer look, with Twitter the place to be to find Blades fans views on Henderson’s omission…
Seriously how arnt Henderson & O’Connell in that England squad 😂😂 #sufc
— Danny (@8djc8) November 7, 2019
So nick Pope, 7 goals conceded in last 2 games gets in the England squad over dean Henderson, joint top clean sheets? And this is why we will never win anything #twitterblades #sufc
— Jono ⚔ (@Jonosufc1996) November 7, 2019
Come on Southgate the stats dont lie,always liked how you gave players who deserved to get an England game who are not at a
top 6 club, perhaps thats why Hendo,Jack & Lunny wont get a game this time.🤔— Paul Walker (@PaulWal14214365) November 7, 2019
Cause he doesnt play for a team whats as well known as the big teams. Hence england will never succeed
— tom staniforth (@tomsufc12) November 7, 2019
An incredible omission. Where Deano is only 3rd on your list, is only because the best defence in England is in front of him so saves not needed – one of that best defence is JOC, but apparently an aging Stones is a better option even only playing 5 of 11 games this season 🤷♂️
— Phil Jackson (@goodolblade) November 8, 2019
Dean Henderson, it seems, will simply have to keep plugging away for the Blades. His time will come. He’s already up there with the best United have seen. We discussed that earlier in the season, here.