Adam Wharton is hoping to make England’s Euro 2024 squad as a wildcard, having starred for Crystal Palace since making the move to the Premier League.
The 20-year-old quickly became a key player at Palace under Oliver Glasner after making the move from Championship side Blackburn back in February, with his displays earning him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s preliminary squad for the Euros.
Wharton impressed on his Three Lions debut against Bosnia, with Southgate admitting ahead of the game he is the kind of midfielder England have been missing “for seven or eight years”. A report from the Daily Mail states that Bayern Munich hoped to hijack Palace’s move for Wharton, but ‘moved too late’.
Bayern remain interested in his services and Palace are said to be resigned to the fact that they ‘have to enjoy him while they can’. Fellow Premier League clubs Tottenham, Brighton, West Ham and Everton were also interested in Wharton.
Adam Wharton emerges as England’s surprise package as stars sweat on Euro 2024 axe
However, his underlying numbers were reportedly not considered impressive enough, with Wharton’s potential going ‘under the radar for a number of sides’. He is no longer going under the radar, though, with Wharton earning comparisons to the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
“He has settled in really confidently with the ball,” Southgate said. “I like the fact he likes to play forward as quickly as he can. He sees pictures when he receives [the ball], and we have been short of these types of players for seven or eight years if I am honest.
“At times, that has had an effect on the way we have been able to play. There are obviously a couple of good technical players who have come through. Kobbie is one. Adam Wharton is one.
Adam Wharton has been a revelation since joining Crystal Palace
“So, there is a bigger pool, but one of those boys was playing in the Championship earlier this year and the other was finding his feet for Manchester United. So, they are not Kroos and Modric in terms of experience, but the team will have a different feel and we think that’s the best route to go.”
Glasner has also hailed Wharton’s impact at Selhurst Park, stating last month: “Adam does really well, otherwise he wouldn’t play almost every minute. He starts every game because he always shows great performances – with his passing, with his solutions, with his hard work in central midfield together with Will Hughes. It’s very important for us.”
