Dean Henderson started in England's friendly v Senegal as manager Tuchel hints at a battle for the number one spot.
Header Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire
With Jordan Pickford on the bench for a friendly match against Senegal on Tuesday night, it was Dean Henderson who got his chance to shine for The Three Lions at Nottingham Forest's City Ground on Tuesday night.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Henderson had a lot on his plate on Tuesday, making several solid against Senegal, but the game ultimately ended in a 3-1 win for the African side. Senegal’s first and third goals may have been reasonably tricky but Henderson may have regrets about Habib Diarra’s goal to give Senegal their second.
The England goalkeeper seemed in two minds about whether to engage and spread or block, hesitating in stepping up off the line and falling backwards in his shape. Senegal went on to score another to ensure a two goal cushion and a victory in Nottinghamshire.
Manager Thomas Tuchel handed Henderson this opportunity to perform but despite it ending in a loss (and a three-year low, allowing the opposing side three goals in a match), the German has indicated that no one position is secure.
Since 2017, the Three Lions have virtually always started with Pickford in between the posts. To add to that, it was Pickford who started all of Tuchel’s three most recent games for England. He’s played for the nation side a total of 76 times to date. However, it looks as though there might be a change on the horizon with Tuchel hinting at something new.
He said, ‘He [Pickford] is doing everything to keep his place because he feels that Dean [Henderson] stepped up and found another gear. Dean got a vital title for Palace and he was a big figure.’
Tuchel says that choosing the lineup will be a ‘fight for every position’ with 'No exceptions' for goalkeepers.
What do you think this means for the future of the goalkeeping department for England?
