After calling Adam Wharton up this week, Gareth Southgate has now explained what he liked so much about the Crystal Palace star.
Few would have predicted that four Crystal Palace players were set to be called up into the provisional England squad for the Euros this summer.
But on Tuesday, that’s exactly what happened as Gareth Southgate chose four of Oliver Glasner‘s best to head to England training camp before the Euros.
Dean Henderson, Marc Guehi, Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze have all been called up and stand well-placed to make the actual squad given the qualities they bring.
Now, Southgate has spoken about his decision to bring Wharton as the 20-year-old has been the recipient of his first call-up.
Gareth Southgate explains what he’s been drawn to about Adam Wharton
Speaking in a press conference after his squad was announced, as quoted by South London Press, Southgate shared his verdict on Wharton.
“It has been an incredible rise,” admitted Southgate over the performances Wharton put in over the past few months.
“If you look at him and [Kobbie] Mainoo five or six months ago, I don’t think any of us would think we would be talking in this way.
“But this is a little bit of a reflection of the strength of depth in that area of the pitch but also that the two boys have played well.”
Southgate then explained what he thinks about Wharton’s qualities on the pitch.
“[He’s a] good technician – he can handle the ball really well. He has got a calmness about him that I really like.
“Palace have found a system that really suits him with a back three behind.
“There are bits we need to find out about that. It also suits Eze and Michael Olise because they are off the wings, not having to defend so far back. He is in a good moment, he is confident and we are keen to find out more about him.”
Why Wharton must head to the Euros for England
Southgate has only named six midfielders in his squad and of these six, only a few of them are capable of playing as the number six.
Declan Rice is one, along with Kobbie Mainoo and then Wharton would be the third. But with the defence weakened, Southgate may be keen on a more solid midfield in which case two of the aforementioned three could start.
This pivot would allow the likes of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and others to thrive in attack and effectively be freed of any heavy defensive duties.
Wharton has qualities which are rare in the squad and therefore could be perfect alongside either Rice or Mainoo in central midfield.
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