Dean Henderson claims he's been to "hell and back" as the Crystal Palace star targets a spot in England's Euro 2024 squad.
The Palace goalkeeper helped the Eagles secure a stunning win at Liverpool as he continues to enjoy time in between the sticks. Henderson quit Manchester United and moved to Selhurst Park in the summer in an effort to further his career and is now enjoying the fruits of that.
Henderson once had ambitions to become the No 1 at Old Trafford but was continuously snubbed and then had to deal with injury problems that have tested the 27-year-old's resolve. He's now played 12 of the last 16 league games with another Three Lions cap on his radar
He said: “It’s not as lonely as the last 11 months have been. I’ve been to hell and back, getting injury after injury and with things not quite working out. I’m happy now I’m back playing. That’s a big tick. I’d love to go in any capacity. I’ll go and save shots, try and save penalties, help England out in any way. I’ll get the nod hopefully.”
Henderson first began impressing when he enjoyed a two-year spell at Sheffield United. Towards the latter end of 2020, when he was back in Manchester, he landed his only England cap and now wants to go as Gareth Southgate's third-choice goalkeeper behind Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale.
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The Eagles shotstopper said: “Why not? When I was fit in the past, I’ve always been in the England set-up - you don’t become a bad keeper overnight. Sometimes you need a block of work to get back to your best. Obviously, I’ve got a block of work in there now, and I’m starting to get back to my best.”
Henderson eventually began to manufacture his exit from United, where he felt he deserved more of a chance to be first choice. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continued to overlook him despite calls to drop David de Gea and the Englishman quickly secured his departure before Erik ten Hag rocked up, signing on loan with Nottingham Forest.
Dean Henderson grew sick of being David de Gea's deputy (Getty Images)The Palace goalkeeper claimed it was "criminal" for United to treat him the way they did - after he'd turned down moves away to pursue opportunities that never came to fruition.
He told talkSPORT: "I didn't want the manager to come in and be able to see me in training. I knew he'd probably want to keep me, so I tried to do it all before I left for the season. I told all the hierarchy I need to go and play football, I don't want to be here playing second fiddle."
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