The midfielder joined Chelsea from Brentford during the summer after leaving his former club by mutual consent. The 36-year-old signed a two-year contract, but his arrival prompted questions about whether he would be expected to play regularly or mainly provide experience around the squad.
After missing the start of the season through injury, Henderson has featured for the full 90 minutes in each of Chelsea’s last three Premier League matches. He believes his performances are the best response to those who doubted the move.
“I'm enjoying the challenge,” he said. “I think a lot of people spoke about the move when I came, but for me I’ve just got to do my talking on the pitch, really.
“I still work hard every day in training trying to help the team wherever I can. And when I play, I do my best to put in the best performance I can for the team.”
Speaking to Football London, Henderson said he had never felt Chelsea wanted him solely for his influence away from matches.
“Obviously, everyone around football talks whether that is the media or whatever. And, yeah, maybe that was the thought process, but I never felt that from Chelsea.
“From the minute that I spoke to them, and the manager, and the club, I still felt like they wanted me to help on the field. So that's all I try and do, and that's all the focus is on really, to be honest.”
Henderson added that the criticism had given him extra motivation rather than distracting him from his work.
“In football there are going to be so many different opinions, so many people saying things and, for me, I just try and use it as fuel, use it as energy, to prove people wrong again. I just want to do my work and my business on the pitch. That's where I do be talking really.”
Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Everton offered further encouragement. Pedro Neto scored twice, while the visitors also recorded their first clean sheet of the season.
Henderson was pleased with the team’s defensive work and the way the squad is developing its understanding.
“We all know clean sheets are important in football and there hasn't been enough of them for us,” he said. “Today is a good day to get that and, overall, I felt defensively we were a lot more solid. We've just got to keep working and I felt like the players are getting used to each other a lot more, which helps.”
He believes Chelsea are beginning to develop the relationships and togetherness needed to build on the result.
“The more you play with each other, the more you know where people will be, and you get used to the relationship. That's important.”
For Henderson, the priority remains simple: keep playing well and help Chelsea turn signs of progress into consistent results.