- Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton eyeing World Cup call-up
- Gregg Broughton urges Thomas Tuchel to select him
- Wharton has earned four caps
Crystal Palace Star Adam Wharton has received support from a surprise name regarding his hopes of heading to the World Cup with England. The midfielder made Thomas Tuchel’s squad for March’s international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
Wharton earned his fourth cap in a 1-1 draw against Uruguay but didn’t play in a 1-0 defeat to Japan. The 22-year-old had to withdraw from the squad due to an Adductor issue.
Tuchel is spoilt for choice in the middle of the park and it’s perhaps the strongest pool of talent for him to choose from. Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, James Garner, and Dean Henderson are all battling for a place in the squad.
Wharton ‘Should be Playing for England’
Chicago Fire sporting director Gregg Broughton has thrown his weight behind Wharton’s inclusion in Tuchel’s World Cup squad. The German coach names his final squad in the coming weeks.
Not only does Broughton feel Wharton warrants a seat on the plane, but he also feels he should be playing. He told talkSPORT:
“Adam should be playing in the Champions League, I’ve got no doubt about that. I said publicly going into the last European Championship that I felt he should be playing for England and although he was part of the squad for that summer he didn’t really get on the field during those European Championships.”
Broughton pointed out Wharton’s unique profile:
“Same challenge this summer, different coach selecting the team for England. But I think what Adam offers compared to any other English midfielder is his ability to pass forward and unlock defences and play under pressure there.“
Wharton will first focus on helping Palace end the season with another major trophy. His side are on course to make the Conference League final and face Shakhtar Donetsk in the second leg of the semi-finals with a 3-1 lead on aggregate.
Wharton Over Anderson and Mainoo
Broughton, who was at Blackburn Rovers when Palace signed Wharton, thinks he’s a good fit alongside Rice. He acknowledged Anderson and Mainoo but still prefers the 22-year-old:
“I just think as somebody who can be the counterweight for Declan Rice, one of the best midfielders in the world. I think those two balance off against each other so well that he should seriously be knocking on the door.“
Wharton appears to be behind Anderson and Mainoo for a starting berth in the Three Lions’ midfield. But Broughton continued to highlight the Eagles star and suggested he’d be starting for any other nation:
“I understand the competition from Elliot Anderson and Kobbie Mainoo and all of these other wonderful talents that we’re lucky to have within the English midfield right now. But Adam’s talent is unique and I just think with any other country in the world right now he would be a core part of the squad.”
Wharton has enjoyed a fine season with Palace, featuring 47 times across competitions and posting seven assists. He earned a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad but failed to make an appearance.
