Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson joined Chelsea on a free transfer after leaving Brentford by mutual consent during the summer transfer window

Jordan Henderson has vowed to continue to do his talking on the pitch after making a surprise move to Chelsea during the summer. Eyebrows were raised when the former Liverpool captain joined the Stamford Bridge club on a free transfer having left Brentford by mutual consent.

Keen to bring in experience, both the 36-year-old and Danny Welbeck were added to Xabi Alonso's squad. Henderson captained Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2020 and also won the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup twice, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup during his time at Anfield.

But the England international believes his performances for Chelsea so far this season have shut down the theory that he was only brought in to enforce squad standards and help younger members of Alonso's side.

He said: “Obviously, everyone around football talks whether that is the media or whatever. And, yeah, maybe that was the thought process, but I never felt that from Chelsea.

“From the minute that I spoke to them, and the manager, and the club, I still felt like they wanted me to help on the field. So that's all I try and do, and that's all the focus is on really, to be honest.

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"In football there are going to be so many different opinions, so many people saying things and, for me, I just try and use it as fuel, use it as energy, to prove people wrong again. I just want to do my work and my business on the pitch. That's where I do be talking really.”

Before he added: “I don't really think too much about what other people say. I just want to try and be myself, really, and try to contribute in any way I can.

“Whether that's in training on a day to day basis, on the pitch, building relationships off the field, getting to know people.

“Just be myself, really. I have just as important a role as every other player on the team. Every single play is important in what they do and what they bring and I've just got to bring whatever I bring.

“The lads are probably best off speaking about that, but I'll just do what I've always done, and try and help. But they also help me as well. It's not all me coming here to help younger players, younger players can also help experienced players.

“Maybe you think about things differently and you understand differently. So I'm still learning, and I'm still improving, and these younger players around have helped us do that.”

Henderson played the full 90 minutes as Chelsea secured all three points with a 2-0 victory at Everton on Saturday.

“I'm enjoying the challenge,” he said when asked playing for Chelsea “I think a lot of people spoke about the move when I came, but for me I’ve just got to do my talking on the pitch, really.

“I still work hard every day in training trying to help the team wherever I can. And when I play, I do my best to put in the best performance I can for the team.

“I still feel good. I still feel like I can compete at the highest level, so that's what I try and do, and just try and concentrate everything on football, and not get caught up with anything else, really, just concentrate on what I need to do for the team, and put in good performances.

“I'm loving it at the minute, you know, it helps when you're playing with top players around you and I feel like the team's really coming together.

“In terms of the spirit and togetherness and I can feel the fight so I feel good. I feel as if this is a good place for me and I am just excited to see what the future holds for this team.”