"Got to be careful" - Sunderland: Pundit predicts Jordan Henderson impact on Chris Rigg, Jobe Bellingham | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer spoke exclusively to FLW about Sunderland's interest in Jordan Henderson

Pundit Carlton Palmer has told Sunderland to complete the ambitious return of Jordan Henderson in January, more than a decade on from his departure, and predicted the experienced midfielder will aid the development of rising stars Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham.

The Black Cats have enjoyed an electrifying start to the 2024/25 Championship campaign under Regis Le Bris, who was appointed in the summer and is quickly shaping up to be a superb appointment.

Le Bris' Sunderland have won six of their opening nine matches and sit at the summit of the second-tier table, having taken points from potential promotion rivals in Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Burnley.

Sunderland are flying with few signs of slowing down. They could receive an additional boost in January, with former Liverpool star Henderson linked with a sensational homecoming to where it all started.

Sunderland's Jordan Henderson interest

According to a recent report from Football Insider, Henderson is open to the idea of returning to his boyhood club in the next transfer window.

A product of the Academy of Light, local lad Henderson spent two productive seasons in the Sunderland first team before earning a £20 million move to Liverpool in 2011.

The midfielder inspired historic success at Anfield during an illustrious twelve-year stay, captaining Jürgen Klopp's Reds to their first-ever Premier League title along with UEFA Champions League glory.

However, the 81-cap England international has endured something of a decline after deciding to leave Merseyside last summer. Six ill-fated months were spent in the Saudi Pro League with Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq before Henderson opted to make a European return in January by joining Ajax.

Henderson's time in the Netherlands has not exactly gone according to plan either, though. The 34-year-old has made just two starts in league action and Ajax will reportedly not stand in his way if he pushes for a mid-season exit.

It is believed that Sunderland are working on a deal to return the midfielder to the Stadium of Light, with the intention of offering an initial short-term contract with the possibility of an extension come the end of the season.

Henderson is said to be tempted by the prospect of a return to Sunderland, believing that his experience and know-how could play a vital role in getting a young squad across the line for promotion.

Carlton Palmer's verdict on Sunderland's Jordan Henderson interest

Palmer feels that Henderson would represent impressive business for Sunderland, downplaying potential concerns that his arrival may restrict young prospects such as Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg.

"Ajax have come out and said that they're open to letting Jordan Henderson join Sunderland," Palmer exclusively told Football League World.

"Sunderland sit joint top of the Championship with Sheffield United following an incredible start to the season.

"I think he'd be an inspired signing. Listen, I don't blame Henderson for doing what he did by moving to Saudi, he was offered an awful lot of money and I don't think there are many people who would've turned that opportunity down.

"Henderson is a fit lad, he's a role model, he's a leader and with the young players they've got at Sunderland, I think it'd be an inspired signing.

"I know people say you should never go back to your club, I did it. I was concerned about it but I went back to Sheffield Wednesday and we stayed up in the league, and while I wasn't the player I was the first time around, we got the job done.

"With the young players they've got in Bellingham and Rigg - you've got to be careful with Rigg and how many games he plays - with the experience of Henderson, who is brilliant in the dressing room and around the players, I don't think it would hinder their development.

"I think it would probably hasten their development and hasten the fact that other clubs will come a knocking to take the two of them. We already know there's big interest in Bellingham and Rigg, and we know the model that Sunderland are looking for.

"But Sunderland, having got into the position they're in now, they now need to get the balance between their youth and the experience to push on and try and consolidate. I didn't have Sunderland as promotion candidates, I didn't expect them to be up there this season.

"I thought they'd be in and around the play-offs given the players they have, I didn't expect them to be in the position they're in. They're there, the new manager has breathed life into the club so I think at this point you've got to think they've got a chance if they're there come Christmas.

"So I think it would be an inspired signing, it's always a gamble when you take a player but Henderson would be dropping down to play in the Championship, he's a fit lad, it shouldn't be a problem to him.

"I suppose it all depends on the financials, and whether the financials work."