07 May 2024 , 11:34
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There’s usually at least one player who comes up on the rails to bag an unexpected spot in the England squad for a major tournament.
Adam Wharton could be that man after a superb start to his Crystal Palace career. The midfielder was still playing for Blackburn in the Championship in late January, when the Eagles signed the then 19-year-old in a deal which could reach £22million, including adds-ons.
At that stage, there was a real chance that the youngster would be making a swift return to the second tier, with Palace in danger of being drawn into a relegation battle under Roy Hodgson, who stepped down in February after falling ill at the club’s training ground.
But the appointment of Oliver Glasner as Hodgson’s replacement has proved inspired, with Palace cruising to safety and picking up some notable scalps along the way, including the 4-0 demolition of Manchester United on Monday.
Wharton proved why he has become such a key player for the Austrian with a towering display against United which saw him get the better of another Euros hopeful, Kobbie Mainoo
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Despite his tender years, Wharton has emerged as a leader of the team too. At half-time against United, he was seen talking with Jean-Philippe Mateta and appeared to give the experienced forward a number of instructions.
“Second half was an excellent performance,” Glasner said of Wharton. “It shows his mentality and character that a 20-year-old guy talks to JP Mateta, but also on the other side that JP is listening to him. This is the environment that I really like as a manager.”
Your turn! Should Wharton be on the plane to Germany? Join the debate in the comments section
Adam Wharton has been a revelation since joining Crystal Palace (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Despite his shortage of experience, Wharton already looks at home on the big stage, which bodes well for his hopes of making the plane the Germany. He also impressed in Palace’s surprise 1-0 win at Anfield, which all but ended Liverpool’s title hopes.
Addressing his chances of a call-up for the Euros, Wharton said after the trouncing of United: "It’s obviously great to be mentioned within that. If it happens, it happens. It would be great. But at the same time, I’m not expecting anything. I’m just enjoying my football at Palace.
“We’ve still got two games left before the Euros. I’m looking at them first, and then if I get the call-up, fantastic. If not, recover in the summer and go again next year.”
Kobbie Mainoo was fast-tracked into the England senior squad just months after his Manchester United debut (Getty Images)While Wharton only secured his first under-21 call-up in March, Gareth Southgate has proved this season he isn’t afraid to fast-track young midfielders into the senior squad. Mainoo was called up for the March friendlies against Brazil and Belgium just four months after his United debut.
Mainoo, 19, is a player Wharton could potentially displace in the squad, with few other obvious available spots unless Southgate decides it is tournament too far for long-term favourite Jordan Henderson.
Wharton's manager at Blackburn was former Premier League forward Jon Dahl Tomasson, who believes Wharton has the tools to reach the top at both club and international level. Tomasson, who was sacked by Blackburn a couple of weeks after Wharton's move, is now in charge of the Sweden national team.
Jon Dahl Tomasson was a huge fan of Wharton, having managed him at Blackburn (Rich Linley/Getty Images)“Adam learned very quickly from playing with the youth,” he said, via The Athletic. “You immediately saw his quality on the ball - it’s Champions League level. To be able to play forward is a quality you need in the Premier League if you want to impact the game.
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“He’s made for bigger things. He has a very clear idea about what he wants to do - he wants to go to the top. When you can play in the Championship at that age, especially in his second season when he played every game, you get better. He’s a great player on the eye and a joy to watch. He’s quiet but he knows what he wants.”
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