This article was updated on 25 September 2026, after Crystal Palace’s opening game in this season’s Europa League group stage. Adam Wharton, the Crystal Palace midfielder, spoke to TNT Sports after Thursday’s 4-0 win over Lech Poznań. He explained how Pierre Sage’s tactics shaped Palace’s performance at Selhurst Park, and what the win means for Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace this season.
State of play: Palace start Europa League campaign with 4-0 win
Crystal Palace opened their Europa League campaign in style, beating Lech Poznań 4-0 at Selhurst Park on 17 September 2026. Yéremy Pino, Chris Richards, Jørgen Strand Larsen and Eddie Nketiah all scored as Palace made a statement on their return to European football under the lights.
Supporters had built anticipation for the fixture through our preview of the European tie. The pre-match squad fitness update had already flagged returning options for Sage ahead of kick-off. The result more than lived up to the build-up.
It was a great night. It’s good to be back in Europe, under the lights at Selhurst, and it was a great way for us to start and that’s how we mean to go on, so we’re delighted.
Wharton’s words to TNT Sports captured the mood around the club after a performance that gave Palace a perfect start to the group phase.
How Pierre Sage’s tactical tweaks freed the midfield
Sage succeeded Oliver Glasner as manager. He has built a side that presses high and looks to win the ball back quickly. Wharton said this approach was central to how Palace dismantled Lech Poznań over the full ninety minutes.
You could see we were on the front foot, aggressive, trying to win the ball high and create lots of chances, and I think we did that. There were still a few moments where we can maybe be a bit tighter at the back, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
That aggression, Wharton explained, creates space in behind for the front line to exploit.
[Playing aggressively] is really exciting. I think obviously it gives you chances – if you do win it, they’re probably going to be open if they’re playing out, and then if we’re quick on the ball when we do win it, then there’s wide spaces and the attackers have big chances. That’s what we want to do: we want to get them in positions where they can test the keeper, score goals and create chances…
…and I think when you’re on the front foot, you sort of get the crowd behind you as well. On nights like these at Selhurst, I think getting the crowd behind you early is massive.
Gelling new signings after a slow domestic start
Palace’s league form has not matched Thursday’s display. Wharton admitted the squad is still finding its feet after a busy summer of transfer business. Readers can catch up on the new arrivals in the full first-team squad breakdown.
I think there’s obviously still a lot to work on – it’s still early days, lots of new signings, new faces, so we’re trying to sort of gel as fast as we can – and it’s been a bit of a slow start [this season], but I think tonight’s a great step forward.
He pointed to training ground work as the route to sharper combinations on the pitch.
We’re just in training, working on those patterns, trying to build those relationships and connections. I think there were a good few moments tonight where we played one-touch play, so yeah, it’s good to see us starting to gel and create chances.
Adam Wharton on his role in Crystal Palace’s new system
Adam Wharton’s role in Crystal Palace’s new system centres on freedom to break forward from midfield. He is one of two holding players, known as sixes, given licence to step into the pocket between the lines. That adds an extra body in attack.
He’s very attacking minded, he wants us to get in good positions high up. He gives the sixes, one of the sixes the licence to sort of step into the pocket and get in more advanced positions, giving us more numbers in attack.
This instruction gives Sage’s team an extra option in dangerous areas. It does not cost Palace their defensive cover, because only one midfielder pushes forward at a time. It explains much of the fluid movement supporters saw against Lech Poznań, and why Wharton so often appeared in advanced pockets rather than sitting deep.
What happens next
Palace now turn their attention back to the Premier League. Our tactical analysis ahead of Leeds looks at whether Sage can carry this attacking blueprint into domestic fixtures. Wharton’s full post-match reaction is available via his original interview with TNT Sports.
For now, a perfect start in Europe gives Sage’s squad belief that the system can deliver results. League form should follow the quality Palace showed at Selhurst Park.
