Adam Wharton Finding His Rhythm at Crystal Palace as Suitors Gather
Adam Wharton is aiming to play in the Champions League soon, with his camp publicly pushing for a move in that direction. Since his transfer from Blackburn to Crystal Palace in January 2024 for around £18 million, Wharton is about to reach 50 appearances for the club. He is under contract until 2029, which includes no release clause, and Crystal Palace values him at over £80 million.
Interest in Wharton has come from major clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester United. Palace chair Steve Parish confirmed there are contingency plans should Wharton depart, but he noted that a January move is unlikely given the club’s commitments in four competitions and their current fourth place in the Premier League.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner commented that Wharton is in his first full Premier League season after struggling with injuries and participating in Euro 2024. He emphasized that Wharton needs rhythm, regular training, and games to improve, though he has already contributed an assist in a victory over Fulham.
Wharton earned a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad but did not feature in the tournament matches. He is also discussed as a potential addition to a World Cup squad and has impressed in games against Serbia and Albania leading up to the World Cup.
As a player, Wharton is viewed as a deep-lying midfielder with strong game intelligence and self-belief. He began his career as a No 10 in Blackburn’s academy and is known for his forward passes and willingness to give the ball away to create plays. While he has yet to score for Palace, his distinctive backflip celebrations are a nod to his days at Blackburn.
