Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton impressed as a substitute on his England debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina and could seal his place on the plane to Euro 2024
Adam Wharton has been England’s surprise package – and is pushing hard for a place in the Euros squad.
Crystal Palace midfielder Wharton, 20, was playing in the Championship with Blackburn just six months ago but has looked every inch an international player both in training and in his first cap.
England boss Gareth Southgate admitted he picked a few players in his 33 man training squad so they could gain valuable experience and Wharton was in that category.
Southgate will have to trim seven players on Friday and is expected to confirm his final 26-man squad on Saturday with Wharton giving him real food for thought.
Wharton was excellent when he came on against Bosnia and Herzegovina but Southgate has spoken several times this week about how the midfielder sees pictures on the pitch and clearly likes his vision as he looks for options.
Southgate said: “We are really pleased with what he has done. It is, in terms of the importance of catching the eye, I guess a lot of that comes down to where we think we will need the positional cover, really but really impressed with how he has been.
“He is a very calm boy, he seems to have taken everything in his stride when you think of what the last year has been but when you talk to him, he is just pretty unflappable as he was on the pitch. That ability to receive and see a picture early isn’t something you should underestimate.”
Southgate will definitely axe one keeper, his defence has big numbers because he was concerned over fitness issues with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw while Curtis Jones may struggle to get into midfield.
It is unlikely that England will take three centre forwards so Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney could be at risk. James Maddison has struggled for form in recent weeks but impressed when he came on at St James’s Park.
Southgate is unlikely to have seen anything yet to change his mind drastically on his starting XI but Kieran Trippier dispelled any fears over his fitness with a solid display at left back against Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Trent Alexander-Arnold might have shown enough to prove he could play in midfield alongside Declan Rice at the Euros but there are still more decisions to be made than Southgate would probably like at this late stage.
The seven at risk of being axed:
- Dean Henderson
- Jarrad Branthwaite
- Jarell Quansah
- Joe Gomez
- Curtis Jones
- Ivan Toney
- James Maddison
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.