Adam Wharton looks unrecognisable in an old cricket team photo which has been doing the rounds on social media.
The 20-year-old creative midfielder set the Premier League alight with Crystal Palace in the second half of the season after signing from Blackburn Rovers on a five-year deal at the start of February. A prospect who rose through the Rovers youth academy, he bagged two goals and three assists under John Dahl Tomasson in the Championship last term before adding another three assists to his tally for the season shortly after arriving at Selhurst Park.
His efforts caught the attention of England boss Gareth Southgate, who called Wharton up to the England squad before giving him his first international appearance for the senior side during the Three Lions' 3-0 disposal of Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James' Park earlier this month.
Southgate has subsequently taken Wharton with him to Euro 2024 in Germany, with England set to face Serbia this Sunday (June 16) in their maiden game of the competition. Speaking about Wharton's talent last week, Southgate said: “We are really pleased with what he has done.
"It is, in terms of the importance of catching the eye, I guess a lot of that comes down to where we think we will need the positional cover, really but really impressed with how he has been. He is a very calm boy, he seems to have taken everything in his stride when you think of what the last year has been but when you talk to him, he is just pretty unflappable as he was on the pitch.
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"That ability to receive and see a picture early isn’t something you should underestimate." However, before making the move to football, Wharton was an avid cricketer – playing at an elite club in his youth.
Adam Wharton playing for Lancashire Cricket Club in 2014 (Facebook)A photo has been doing the rounds on social media this week, showing Wharton as part of a Lancashire Under-10s side from 2014 – with the now-midfield maestro totally unrecognisable in the snap.
Taking to the Lancashire County Cricket Club Facebook group, member John A Williams shared the photograph as he wrote: "From 10 years ago. Spot the England Footballer amongst a handful of young lads now making their way in County Cricket. The pathway works."
The photograph showed Wharton at the ESCA Under 10 County Cricket Festival at King's College, Taunton and was dated 2014. Alongside him were his coaches; Steve and Matt Critchley, as well as a number of names who are currently making waves in the world of cricket – including Lancs stars Joshua Boyden and Matthew Hurst, who was captain of the U10 team at the time.
And fans of the cricketer turned footballer were quick to comment on the post, singing Wharton's praise for his success in a completely different sport. One wrote: "Wharton!! What a talent!" while another added: "Well done Adam!"
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