By Robert Summerscales
Ajax extended their unbeaten streak to five matches by thrashing Besiktas 4-0 in the Europa League on Thursday night but captain Jordan Henderson was not happy.
The former Liverpool skipper tore into team-mate Bertrand Traore after the winger had given away possession cheaply.
Ajax were 3-0 up at this point but Henderson still deemed it necessary to publicly berate Traore, who appeared to respond with some choice words of his own.
Henderson was visibly furious as he was pushed away from Traore by two other teammates – Devyne Rensch and then Kian Fitz-Jim.
However, Henderson played down the incident in a post-game interview with Ziggo Sport.
Ajax captain Jordan Henderson pictured during Thursday evening’s 4-0 win over Besiktas
Despite his team winning comfortably, Henderson vented his anger at Bertrand Traore (left)
The 34-year-old reflected: ‘My moment with Traore? If you watch me play over the years, that’s pretty normal to be honest.
‘Intimidating? It’s football! We want to win, we want to improve. If we concede a goal there is still much time left. Sometimes you will have words with each other but it’s good, it keeps everybody on their toes.’
Henderson – who joined Ajax from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in January – played the full 90 minutes on Thursday night.
He touched the ball 70 times and completed 79 per cent of his 58 passes.
Fitz-Jim scored the opening goal just after the half-hour mark in Amsterdam.
Traore then set up Mika Godts for the second goal of the night, before Kenneth Taylor made it 3-0.
Henderson got right into the face of winger Traore, who fired back some words in response
Devyne Rensch (second left) and Kian Fitz-Jim (right) pushed Henderson away from Traore
Godts scored again in the 73rd minute to wrap up an emphatic victory.
Henderson later stressed the importance of keeping a clean sheet – something Ajax have now done in six of their first 11 games this season.
Speaking to CBS Sports, he said: ‘From start to finish we were dominant in the game. Some really good stuff, some good goals. We were clinical in front of goal and most importantly the clean sheet as well. Overall it was a very good night for us.
‘A lot of things [pleased me]. With the ball we were very good, creating chances and finishing them off really well, which is something that we have probably been criticised about.
‘But tonight was very good. Defensively we were really good as well and like I said, a clean sheet is big for us.’
Henderson played down his clash with Traore during a post-game interview with Ziggo Sport
Henderson has previously spoken about the need to set and maintain high standards after Ajax finished fifth in the Eredivisie last season – the club’s worst final position since 2000.
Ajax are already 11 points behind Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven this season, but Henderson and Co have two games in hand.
Europa League FinalJordan Henderson
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Angry Ajax captain Jordan Henderson tears into former Aston Villa forward Bertrand Traore during big Europa League win over Besiktas before team-mates break row up
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Publish date : 2024-09-26 15:56:00
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