Jordan Henderson is proving a lot of people wrong. When Chelsea signed him, even Blues supporters can be forgiven for thinking he would be behind the scenes, acting as Chelsea’s “cheerleader”.

But the last three Premier League games have changed that entirely. Not only have Chelsea returned to form since Henderson has come into the side, but the 36-year-old has had a hand in three goals.

The Liverpool icon has also topped the running stats. He ran the second most against Brentford, and ran more than any player against Bournemouth and Everton. It’s the underlying reason he is in the starting XI.

Ashley Young says Jordan Henderson is proving everyone wrong

Chelsea are back in fourth place in the Premier League, projected to qualify for the Champions League, and he has played a key role in returning to form. A third successive win is on the cards on Saturday.

Kelly Cates posed a question to Ashley Young on The Overlap Daily, explaining that many felt he would be a “cheerleader” at Chelsea. He’s proving everyone wrong, and Young finds it amazing to hear him on TV.

Young responded: “I understand what he means about being a cheerleader. When I played with Jordan Henderson for England, his voice, character, it was a shouting match. I’d talk non-stop; he’d talk non-stop.

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“His move to Saudi [felt like a semi-retirement]; he was in his prime, and he went. The timing, and then to come back, it’s one of those things where a lot of people have just gone ‘ah, that’s it’,” Young continued.

“Jordan Henderson won’t be thinking that, because I know him. Getting the move to Chelsea, there’s a young squad; I need to be the father figure – he won’t be thinking that. He will be like, I’m going to play.

“They can doubt me, say I’m an elder statesman, I can’t do this anymore. But that’s the fuel that he needs; that’s the type of person he is. You put him in the team, and you see Chelsea are climbing the table again.

“There’s a reason why, when you have someone like that in the team. You hear him on the TV, you hear that voice when they’re playing. I used to tell him ‘Hendo, shut up, you’re too much’. That’s the way he is.”

Young echoes what Gerrard and Walcott have said about Hendo

Young isn’t the first to say it. Steven Gerrard said earlier this month that Henderson will be annoyed by the tag, and Walcott repeated that sentiment. The veteran is so much more than a gaffer on the pitch.

Gerrard said: “I felt like I was Liverpool’s best midfielder; that’s just how I felt. And that will be annoying Jordan, because I think it’s slightly disrespectful to call someone a squad player who’s had that career.”

Walcott echoed what Gerrard had said about him: “A lot of people forget he’s a really good player. Not just that, the connection’s growing with Cole Palmer. They’re having fun, and I think that’s great to see.”

Henderson and Moises Caicedo have formed the ideal double pivot since being thrown in together, and it’s proving to be the base of a Chelsea side slowly returning to former glory under Alonso’s guidance.