Now with Sunderland, former Liverpool and England captain Henderson has been a key member of Tuchel's teams so far.
Asked about the veteran's latest call, Heskey told Tribalfootball.com: "Yeah, I understand it. But at some stage, you've got to look past that and get the right... just the right players in. The best players have got to be in there.
"I don't mean any disrespect to him. He's not... he's not our best player for that position. He is a leader, he is someone who brings... possibly brings the group together, knits the group together. I can't say that he isn't.
"But being the best player? I don't think he's close to that, to be honest."
Leadership?
Heskey continued: "I get all that leadership argument, but when you've got senior players in there at times, how do you expect the younger players to then step up to the plate to be that leader as well if you just keep them there?
"They need that chance to say, 'Okay, he's not around no more, I've got to step up to the plate;. And I think you've got to...
you've got to allow these younger players to grow up, basically."
- Emile Heskey was speaking to Tribalfootball on behalf of William Hill