Crystal Palace were able to swerve a nightmare transfer scenario in the January window as Roy Hodgson secured a deal for Adam Wharton amid reported interest in Kalvin Phillips.
Roy Hodgson may have left Crystal Palace when the side were in poor form however, time has shown that the veteran manager handed Oliver Glasner a jewel by signing Adam Wharton in January.
Despite all of the inconsistencies that the Eagles have battled through this campaign, the January transfer window proved to be a strong period of business for Steve Parish and Hodgson.
Acquiring talents such as Daniel Munoz and Wharton significantly bolstered the squad for Glasner to develop, with both players showcasing their ability to perform in the Premier League since their arrival.
The capture of both players can be celebrated now that they are pivotal parts of the manager’s puzzle however, things could have been so different had Hodgson and Parish focused on a different January target.
Crystal Palace avoided a transfer disaster in the January window
Prior to the arrival of Wharton, it was widely reported that Palace were eyeing a swoop for Manchester City midfielder, Kalvin Phillips.
At one point in the January window, Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth told GIVEMESPORT that the Eagles were “pushing” to strike a deal for the former Leeds United ace, a transfer that could have been a disaster.
Two months down the line it’s clear to see that Palace were right to step back in their pursuit of Phillips, who was instead snatched up on loan by West Ham.
The £22m signing of Wharton was announced at the end of the window to see Hodgson bolster his midfield, with the business now proven to have been the right decision by the former manager and Parish.
The signing of Adam Wharton was the best decision in a number of ways
While Wharton continues to establish himself as one of Glasner’s key players in midfield, Phillips has had a nightmare start to life at West Ham.
On his debut for the Hammers, the 28-year-old’s error led to Bournemouth’s goal in the 1-1 draw and two games later he was sent off and subsequently suspended.
Speaking about the Manchester City outsider on talkSPORT, former West Ham ace Dean Ashton described the Englishman’s move as “absolutely shocking”.
“It’s been, let’s be honest, an absolutely shocking start to his West Ham career for Kalvin Phillips.”
“He’s clearly been sat on the bench for far too long and he is nowhere near up to speed!”
Ashton’s comments only reinforce what Palace avoided, with Wharton’s start to life at Selhurst Park a complete contrast to the disaster seen at the London Stadium.
As detailed yesterday, the 20-year-old could offer a lot more to Palace in the near future than just his performances on the pitch, with his ceiling looking to be remarkably high as he continues to develop.
Hodgson was correct to strike a deal for the former Blackburn Rovers ace over the former England international, in a move that supported Palace’s reputation as a club that celebrates development.
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