With his rolled-up socks, slight build and sharp mind, Adam Wharton is the understated wildcard who is making a big impression on Gareth Southgate.
None of that will surprise Bayern Munich, who had plans to seal the deal from Crystal Palace for Blackburn’s young midfielder in January.
Fortunately for Palace, Bayern took action too late, although the interest of the Germans remains. They aren’t the only ones keeping an eye on the talented 20-year-old from Lancashire, who has taken the Premier League by storm. That’s the unfortunate reality for clubs as big as Palace. “We have to enjoy him while we can,” an Eagles source said.
Once Wharton arrived at Palace, work began on identifying his eventual replacement. There is recognition that their latest unearthed gem is destined for bigger and better things, although the way Palace ended the season under Oliver Glasner, who’s to say he can’t fulfill his ambitions in South London?
Palace have proven to be at the forefront when it comes to unearthing untapped talent, with Michael Olise, Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze all plucked from relative obscurity. Their latest discovery is expected to be the best of them all.
Crystal Palace youngster Adam Wharton made his England debut in the 3-0 win over Bosnia
The midfielder was presented with his first cap by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate on Tuesday
There is a misconception that Wharton’s abilities were missed by rivals. Everton, Brighton, West Ham and Tottenham have all shown interest in the midfielder over the past 18 months. Alan Irvine is said to have been a particularly big fan during his time as Hammers consultant.
However, it is true that in a world of data-driven recruiting, Wharton’s potential has flown under the radar of a number of parties. His numbers were good, but didn’t necessarily stand out to data analysts. “There are some things that data can’t tell you, Wharton is the best example of that,” explains one recruitment specialist.
Wharton’s rise should therefore be seen as a triumph for old-fashioned scouting. Palace and sporting director Dougie Freedman did their utmost.
Their interest started in September 2022 during an Under 21 match between Tottenham and Blackburn.
Another player was in Palace’s sights that day, but their representative left drooling over Wharton. One of the things that stood out was that he constantly scanned the pitch before receiving a pass, which allowed him to visualize his options before the ball arrived at his feet.
His intelligence in finding space off the ball with the aim of positioning himself in areas where he could make penetrating passes also impressed.
Technically he was two-footed, his passing weight was just right – all this was harnessed by a consciousness that defied his teenage years. The moment of truth came in November 2023 when Blackburn traveled to Chelsea for a Carabao Cup tie. Rovers lost, but Wharton more than held his own against Conor Gallagher, who is highly rated at Selhurst Park. The rest is history.
Two months later, Freedman sealed the deal when Palace paid out £18 million, plus a further £4 million in performance-related add-ons, to sign him from Blackburn. The vast majority of that £4million is linked to performances in the Premier League, although there are small financial rewards for Rovers if Wharton hits international targets.
To convince Wharton to sign, Freedman drew up a meticulous progression plan – with every stage of his development at Palace explained in detail. You’d imagine they’d have to reset those goals, given how quickly his career has skyrocketed.
The 20-year-old has made 15 starts in the Premier League after signing for Blackburn
Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman (centre) did his utmost to get him in January
Wharton has already received comparisons to two of the best midfielders of this century: Andrea Pirlo (left) and Toni Kroos (right)
What Palace first saw all those months ago, England is now witnessing. Wharton’s brief cameo when he made his debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday struck a chord. He was poised and calm in the middle and showed the qualities of conductor that Southgate desired.
Think of Andrea Pirlo. Think of Toni Kroos. Think of Luka Modric. ‘We don’t have an organizer in midfield with the ball. In my lifetime we have rarely produced that type of player in England. We have different profiles of No. 6s,” Southgate said in March.
One- and two-touch passing, finding space, maneuvering out of tight spaces, all locked in with exemplary execution: Wharton has it all. He appears lean and trim, but those who work with Wharton every day compare his strength to that of David Batty or James Milner. He is deceptively powerful. And at 1.80 meters, he is deceptively tall.
He also has the work ethic to match his natural talents. He covered the most ground of any player in Palace’s win at Liverpool last season. But it’s his in-game intelligence, an innate ability to be in the right place at the right time to make crucial interceptions, that has Glasner spinning. On Monday, Wharton completed all 36 passes, becoming the only midfielder to attempt 30 or more and catch them all on his England debut. Everything in half an hour.
Yet it is the youngster’s persistence in moving the ball forward that really caught Southgate’s attention. It’s not possession for the sake of possession, there is always a goal with the ball at his feet. The kind of goal Southgate thinks his team inherently lacks.
When Wharton was named in England’s provisional 33-man squad last month, the general expectation was that he would not make the final 26. Indications remained on Monday evening that Southgate might still not get him. But who can blame Southgate for having doubts after Wharton’s performance in Newcastle?
“We’re really impressed,” Southgate said of Wharton after the match. ‘He’s a very calm boy, he seems to have taken everything at ease. When you talk to him he’s quite unflappable, just like tonight. The fact that you can receive and view a photo early should not be underestimated.’
It is clear that Wharton represents the future of England. But does he represent their present?
Southgate praised Wharton’s 30-minute cameo against Bosnia at St James’ Park on Monday
Southgate has options. Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, expected to play further forward in Germany, are among the first names on the team sheet. But the identity of who plays deeper in midfield alongside Rice remains a debate.
On Monday, Trent Alexander-Arnold provided further evidence that he is starting to familiarize himself with the central midfield role Southgate is considering him for.
His goal against Bosnia was sumptuous, yet his ability to retain possession and pass with accuracy was the most impressive aspect of his performance. But an element of mystery remains regarding the Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment. Doing it against Bosnia is one thing. It’s a completely different thing to do it at a major tournament.
Asked if he was concerned about Alexander-Arnold, a right-back at Liverpool, playing as a midfielder in tournament football, Southgate said: “That’s the unknown, obviously with Gallagher, with (Kobbie) Mainoo and even with Wharton, you know exactly what they can and cannot do.
‘None of these players can do everything, so you try to find the right balance. Obviously Declan will be there, so what’s the balance with him? That can differ per game.’
Along with Bellingham, Rice and Gallagher, Alexander-Arnold will almost certainly make it to Southgate’s final. So with that in mind, there is logic in assuming Mainoo and Wharton are in a direct shootout for the final midfield spot.
The fact that Curtis Jones was an unused substitute against Bosnia suggests the Liverpool midfielder will miss.
Man United youngster Kobbie Mainoo (left) is likely to be in a straight shootout with Wharton
Mainoo’s man-of-the-match performance during Manchester United’s FA Cup victory over Manchester City will not have gone unnoticed by Southgate. Wharton has made fifteen Premier League starts; Mainoo, 19, has 24. There is little between them in terms of experience.
‘Kroos and Modric have known how to control the rhythm of a match for ten years. That’s a step beyond where we are with Wharton and Mainoo,” Southgate added. ‘They are very delicate in their development.
“They’re doing really well and we’re excited, but we have to be realistic about what that’s going to look like in terms of controlling the pace at the top level, which is also a step that none of them have seen yet .’
It’s a difficult choice. Or can Southgate take both? That would be daring.