Adam Wharton produced a midfield masterclass as Crystal Palace wiped the floor with Aston Villa at Selhurst Park last night.
The 21-year-old was making his first Premier League start since October having undergone groin surgery, but it looked like he had never been away.
New England manager Thomas Tuchel was at the game, and the former Blackburn Rovers star’s superb performance could not have been better timed.
England manager should build his team around Wharton
Palace manager Oliver Glasner inevitably questioned whether Tuchel should include Wharton in his first squad following his lengthy absence.
However, the Palace playmaker should be top of Tuchel’s list for one of the midfield roles for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in March.
Former England manager Gareth Southgate criminally underutilised Wharton at the 2024 European Championship. Tuchel must not make the same mistake.
Wharton played a key role in each of Palace’s first three goals. His incisive passing and ability to play in tight spaces set him apart from England’s other midfield options.
He left Villa midfielders Youri Tielemans and John McGinn chasing shadows – no mean feat considering how they have dominated against other teams this season.
McGinn has repeatedly snuffed out Declan Rice when Villa have faced Arsenal, and he is often touted as England’s standout midfielder.
If Tuchel is brave enough to build his team around Wharton, winning the 2026 World Cup is a distinct possibility – he’s that good.
Top football stories
- If you think Neymar’s career is a disappointment, it says a lot about unrealistic expectations
- Christian Pulisic docuseries exemplifies USMNT’s mostly silent golden generation
- Chelsea fans protesting after club’s £1bn spend need a reality check
Football Today features
- Leeds demonstrated promotion-winning qualities at Sheffield United
- Palmer will bounce back from his barren spell at Chelsea
- Arsenal’s latest flop raises major questions about Mikel Arteta
What to watch
We pointed you towards an eight-goal thriller in the Copa del Rey last night. Let’s hope the second semi-final between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid is equally entertaining.
