Is Henderson at the World Cup as more of a leader than a player?

[Getty Images] Wayne Rooney, England's second-most capped player at international level, has admitted: "I personally wouldn't have taken Jordan Henderson but I completely understand why Thomas Tuchel has done." The Brentford midfielder has the chance to make history at this summer's World Cup as the first Englishman to play at seven major international tournaments. But Rooney doesn't see the 36-year-old "getting much game time" or "pushing for a starting place" over the 39-day competition in the United States, Canada and Mexico. "The thinking behind it will firstly be to help manage the training sessions the next day after games and to help drive those training sessions, if we are being honest, because he is a leader," he said on The Wayne Rooney Show podcast. "I know what it is like the day after the game when you don't play. The other players are recovering but you have to go and train. All you want is to be on the other side in the pool or on the bikes. "The manager might not even be at that training session, he might be speaking to the players from the night before, so Henderson will be there driving and pushing that session to try to keep the standards high. "In my opinion, that's probably the biggest reason why he is there. He has had a good season, but I don't think he will get used. I don't think he will get much game time. "Some of the players will be down during the tournament, it is natural for players to get upset at a World Cup. For example, they could struggle to deal with getting stick in the media or not getting game time - but Henderson will recognise that. "If a player doesn't want to go to the manager with it, they will speak to him and look to him for a bit guidance. "So I do get why he is there in that sense, but I personally would've taken another player who could push for a starting place more." Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds here [BBC] Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds [BBC] [BBC]
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