EXCLUSIVE By Colin Young
Hot stuff: Sunderland's Jordan Henderson
Fabio Capello is not the only one impressed by Jordan Henderson, with Chelsea leading the chase for Sunderland's England Under 21 midfielder.
The Barclays Premier League champions have been watching the 20-year-old from the start of the season, after they were alerted by scout Bryan Robson, a former player and youth team coach at Sunderland.
Henderson is expected to be in the England squad for next month's friendly against France at Wembley. Sunderland manager Steve Bruce knows he will eventually face a fight to hang on to Henderson.
Bruce said: 'I think we've given him two contract extensions already and he can have 32 if he wants. I've read that Fabio Capello is going to bring one forward for the France game and apparently the London boys are saying it's him. I don't know if that's true, but it wouldn't surprise me.
'It's quite refreshing in this day and age to find a young kid who wants to train and play, and who thinks properly. From the moment I clapped eyes on him he jumped out like no other player here.
'He's absolutely, completely devoted to football and I hope he stays that way. If he does he's got the world at his feet and I don't often say that about a young player. I'm very, very confident of that because of the way he is.
'When I walked through the door, more than any player he grabbed me within two training sessions. I had more conversations when I first got the job about Jordan than any other player.'
Bryan Robson that blind fool also can be scout ah ????
whoever he say is good is bound to be crap................
Do you know which Bryan Robson this article if talking about?
Manchester City are preparing to test Sunderland’s resolve with a £15 million bid for England Under-21 midfielder Jordan Henderson.
Millionaires City are plotting an expensive raid on Steve Bruce’s club during the next transfer window, but face stiff competition from both Chelsea and Manchester United for the highly-rated midfielder, according to The People.
The 20-year-old has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in England following a string of superb displays for Stuart Pearce’s young lions.
City are desperate to boost their push for honours this season and feel they can land the playmaker with a January bid that the Black Cats might find hard to refuse.
City are reported to have already made an inquiry for the player and are likely to agree a transfer fee which is very close to Sunderland’s £16m valuation for their home-grown star.
Carlo Ancelotti is also a known admirer of Henderson, who has also been tipped for a surprise senior call-up by Three Lions boss Fabio Capello for the Wembley friendly with France next month, and was linked by the media with a move for the player yesterday.
Bruce will be desperate to keep hold of his star asset despite the interest, but City’s mega-money offer may prove difficult to turn down.