Why Dean Henderson of Sheffield United should be England's new number one

An ability to make saves, the former England international believed, was not the most important quality youngsters needed to develop in order to master the position. Insight, planning skills and the ability to coordinate those around you were, he insisted, actually much more important.

Three decades after his final Three Lions appearance, that goes a long way towards explaining why Dean Henderson, following his Premier League exploits with Sheffield United, finds himself being championed as a successor to Shilton.

As Jordan Pickford falters through the campaign at Everton, the 22-year-old and Nick Pope, his counterpart at Burnley, are now viewed by many of those in the know as more dependable options for Gareth Southgate ahead of this summer’s Euro 2020 tournament.

Henderson has made no secret of the fact he thinks that is his destiny, revealing the scale of his ambition following last season’s promotion from the Championship.

“I want to show that I’m the best in the country,” he told The Star, as United celebrated their return to top-flight competition. “And if I continue to work hard and improve myself, I’m definitely sure I will.”

Ten months on, with United sitting fifth in the table, Henderson is on course to achieve his aim.

Indeed, speaking after Sunday’s victory over AFC Bournemouth, Chris Wilder, a manager not usually minded to singling players out for special praise, described him as the “best English ‘keeper in the country.” On current form at least.

When Gareth Southgate unveils his starting eleven for next month’s friendly against Italy, it will become clear if he agrees. But even if Pickford does get the nod, Southgate is unlikely to have taken the decision lightly, with even supporters at Goodison Park growing increasingly alarmed by the player’s performances in recent weeks. An ill-advised interview, where he claimed “everyone hates you” if you represent England do not reflect well on Pickford’s ability to handle pressure or press his case with FA chiefs.

Henderson, by contrast, has delivered some of his best performances in a United jersey after making a mistake. One, which cost Wilder’s side at least a point when Liverpool visited Bramall Lane in September, was followed by two back to back clean sheets.

An analysis of the statistics spawned by Henderson, Pope and Pickford actually suggest there is little to choose between them. Indeed, the United man actually makes fewer reflex saves than both of his two rivals while, in terms of distribution, both Pope and Pickford fare better. Albeit by the odd percentage point.

But drill deeper into the figures and it becomes apparent why many observers, Wilder included, believe Henderson is the best of the trio. He simply lets in fewer goals. Even more tellingly, Henderson also faces less shots during the course of an average PL game: 3.66, compared to 4.15 for Pickford and 4.36 for Pope.

Although it is possible to argue this merely confirms United are better at defending than their rivals from Merseyside and Turf Moor, which also must be taken into account when considering his ‘save’ numbers, Henderson’s contribution to his colleagues’ solidity should not be under-estimated.

Clearly centre-halves John Egan, Chris Basham and Jack O’Connell have great confidence in Henderson’s ability. All three, together with wing-backs George Baldock and Enda Stevens, have commented on Henderson’s communication skills.

“We work together as a unit,” Egan commented before Christmas. “If we didn’t, then I don’t think we’d function as well. All of us, including Deano, take a great deal of pride in shutting people out.”

Crucially, as the battle to become England’s number one ahead of June’s Group D opener against Croatia enters a potentially decisive phase, Henderson’s projected goals conceded per game average at the end of the season (0.97) is also lower than both Pickford (1.23) and Pope (1.26). If this measure proves accurate, it will further boost the aura surrounding Henderson, whose loan from Manchester United could be renewed for a second time before the 2020/21 campaign gets underway.

Certainly, it would be a major surprise if he is not awarded a first senior cap before the meeting with Zlatko Dalic’s side.

Henderson, who featured for the under-21’s on 11 occasions, will be able to count himself as extremely hard done by if Southgate refuses to reward his domestic performances.

Dean Henderson

Club: Sheffield United

Age: 22

Foot: Right

Games Played: 25

Goals Conceded Per Game Average: 0.83

Projected Goals Conceded Average: 0.97

Shots Faced Per Game Average: 3.66

Average Ball Distribution Per Game: 7.45

Senior Caps: 0

Jordan Pickford

Club: Everton

Age: 25

Foot: Left

Games Played: 26

Goals Conceded Per Game Average: 1.2

Projected Goals Conceded Average: 1.2

Shots Faced Per Game Average: 4.15

Average Ball Distribution Per Game: 7.46

Senior Caps: 24

Nick Pope

Club: Burnley

Age: 27

Foot: Right

Games Played: 25

Goals Conceded Per Game Average: 1.18

Projected Goals Conceded Average: 1.26

Shots Faced Per Game Average: 4.36

Average Ball Distribution Per Game: 7.98

Senior Caps: 2

*All figures correct as of 14th February 2020.