UEFA Conference League final: What Dean Henderson once told Steve Parish about Crystal Palace's squad - 'It was tongue-in-cheek'

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Dean Henderson believes Crystal Palace have realised their full potential under Oliver Glasner, and he has highlighted the power of the fanbase as a key factor ahead of the UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.

Henderson: It would be ‘incredible’ if Crystal Palace win the Conference League after ‘tough’ season

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Palace signed Henderson from Manchester United on a five-year deal on transfer deadline day in August 2023 under previous manager Roy Hodgson.

The south-east London club paid a reported £15 million, plus £5m in add-ons, for the goalkeeper, who had been on loan at Nottingham Forest the previous season.

At the time of his announcement, Henderson said: "There's something being built here, and I really want to be a part of it."

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Now, the Palace captain has revealed that a light-hearted conversation with owner Steve Parish almost three years ago reflected his own belief in the team-mates he was joining at Selhurst Park.

"I said to him, 'if you sign me, it'll help you get into Europe'," Henderson told TNT Sports ahead of the Wednesday night's final, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

"Tongue-in-cheek, obviously, but I believed in the squad. I knew that Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi were phenomenal talents, but I didn't think they were maximising their full potential.

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"I knew those players, and realised how good they actually were, and realised that the club was probably underperforming at the time."

During last season's FA Cup final, Henderson was fortunate to escape being sent off when VAR upheld an on-field decision, as he was only cautioned for denying what was not deemed a goalscoring opportunity during Palace's 1-0 win over Manchester City.

He also saved a penalty from Omar Marmoush as The Eagles claimed their first major trophy.

A shock defeat by Macclesfield in the third round this season demonstrated the potential pitfalls in the modern game - but barely 12 months on from the Wembley triumph, a second piece of major silverware is potentially just 90 minutes away.

"It's pretty incredible when you look at it in the short space of time," added Henderson. "You end up taking things in your stride. You don't really look back on things.

"Even like the FA Cup last season, you haven't had time to reflect and actually realise how big it was for the football club. To obviously be in the Conference League this season, and to ride the waves of that with the amount of games we've played, I think it's been incredible from all the lads involved.

"I think it would be incredible if we saw more glory on Wednesday evening."

Dean Henderson has often been seen swirling up the Palace crowd

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The unity seen at Selhurst Park and the relationship players have with the fans - especially in the Holmesdale Road End - is a unique bond.

At the age of 29, Henderson has firmly established himself as Jordan Pickford's understudy at international level, and he can look forward to a third major tournament with England next month.

It is a far cry from the frustration he endured during spells on loan away from Manchester United, where he made just 48 league starts across four seasons between 2020 and 2024.

Since then, Henderson - who has four England caps to his name - has missed just one top-flight game over the past two campaigns, keeping the third-highest number of clean sheets in that time (22).

"It's incredible," Henderson continued when reflecting on the Palace support.

"I remember I played a game against Brighton when I first came, and I'd come back from injury. I didn't feel like there was a connection between the players and the supporters at that time.

"I think it's so important that you have that, because that unity can help in so many different ways. I look around now, and I see the lads celebrating after games and the supporters really appreciating what the lads are doing, and vice versa.

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"It's gone from strength to strength, but I think it's so important. That's what I feel like is the community feel in south London, as well, that unity and that togetherness.

"Hopefully, we can come together [in the final], and celebrate something special."

Henderson has been a vocal participant in Palace chants after Conference League triumphs this season, often seen as the conductor from the pitch.

Following their final Premier League game of the season on Sunday against champions Arsenal, focus will fully turn to the trip to Leipzig to face Rayo.

Henderson's popular 'Zami' chant - sung to the tune of Shakira's Waka Waka - often gets supporters going in the stands, but the England international hopes for the opportunity to concoct a fresh rendition.

"I think Zami is getting a bit boring now, so I might have to come up with a new one," Henderson joked. "It'll be good. Obviously, with success comes expectation.

"We've had an incredible season on record. I think we've had an incredible season for all the distractions we've had, losing key players, struggling with injuries at a difficult time. December and January were tough, very tough.

"I didn't know where the next win was coming from, in all honesty, but we had a good transfer market. We added some good experience to the group, and gave ourselves some more options off the bench, some pace and power, which we really needed.

"We've come through it now, and we're just really looking forward to next week. We're really looking forward to finishing the season on a real high, and a positive note."

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How to watch UEFA Conference League final on TNT Sports

TNT Sports’ live coverage of the UEFA Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, May 27 will be live from Red Bull Arena in Leipzig from 18:30 UK time on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and HBO Max.

There will be expert analysis from a team including Glenn Hoddle, Joel Ward and Joleon Lescott.

Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.

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