Manchester United’s highly-rated goalkeeper Dean Henderson has made the frontline of many sports newspapers. The England U-21 keeper is on an impressive run off form and rumours of his transfer have already started circulating.
Henderson was a part of the England’s U-20 World Cup winning squad during the summer. He is currently playing on loan with League One side Shrewsbury. Henderson’s good form has helped Shrewsbury go on an unbeaten run to the top of the League One standings.
He is currently a part of United’s loaned out group of players. Although the club sees great potential for the keeper and want to retain him as a future first-team player, Henderson himself is caught in two minds. His current contract expires at the end of the season and he is unsure whether or not he wants to renew it. His dilemma has not been helped by the fact that the 20-year old has attracted a great amount of interest from various clubs across Europe.
Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Watford, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Southampton have all expressed interest in bringing in the 20-year old to their club. Amongst the teams from the Championship Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are keen on securing his services. There has also been talk of Henderson being courted by European clubs like Benfica, Udinese and Olympiakos.
With so many big clubs courting him and with De Gea looking set to stay at United for the long-term, Henderson might just seek the opportunity to sign for another club where he will have a better chance of breaking into the first team in the coming days.
Chelsea’s interest in him has come at a time when the club is unsure about the Thibaut Courtois. With Willy Caballero just turning 36 last month, he does not have a long future at the club either. Henderson might just be brought in as a second choice keeper to Courtois for now and that will most likely guarantee him the domestic cup ties and a few inconsequential league or Champions League games, should there be any.
Moreover with Courtois’ situation not sorted yet, the club might just lose the Belgian to another European club which will greatly open the door for the England goalkeeper. He will be likely to get a few games in a row under his belt before a replacement comes in and if he is able to snap up his chance and impress the Chelsea management, he would potentially become the club’s new number 1.
All in all, staying at United with De Gea playing the way he is, it will be futile for the 20-year old to try and snap up a first-team spot. In Chelsea it will be a gamble and a lot will depend on how Courtois’ future at the club turns out, but he will be likely to get a more fighting chance to snatch the first team place. So maybe then, he should snub Mourinho and join his old club?
