Crystal Palace will be delighted that Dougie Freedman signed Adam Wharton in January as his £22m fee looks a bargain.
January saw the arrival of Adam Wharton from Blackburn for a fee which raised a few eyebrows at the time given his lack of experience.
However, fast forward six months, Crystal Palace would likely have paid double if they knew what a player he’s turn out to be so early into his career.
Already an international for England having made his senior debut this past Monday, and Wharton’s stock has continued to grow as he gets recognised for his talent.
In this year’s Golden Boy rankings, Wharton is listed, but where is he listed and how high up the list is he?
Adam Wharton nominated for Golden Boy
The race for the 2024 Golden Boy Award has begun and unlike any time in recent memory, there’s a Crystal Palace player not only on the list but competing toward the top end.
Wharton has been unveiled in the initial top 14 for the next edition of the Golden Boy Award, which is a huge compliment to how rapidly he’s risen up and become a star.
A year after Jude Bellingham became the third Englishman to win the award, following in the footsteps of Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling, now Wharton and his young England teammate Kobbie Mainoo have both been nominated.
Mainoo himself sits inside the top 10 at seventh, while Wharton is 14th, however, there are still six months to go until the final decision is made.
As quoted by The Sun, Golden Boy founder Massimo Franchi has name-dropped both of the young midfielders – suggesting both could end up replicating Bellingham’s feat of winning: “The rankings are based on performances in the biggest games. We have seen both Mainoo and Wharton, very impressive and potentially in England’s squad for the Euros. Maybe they can do what Bellingham did last year.”
Crystal Palace must be thrilled about Wharton’s nomination
Having picked Wharton up for what looks like a snip at £22m, every week the decision looks better for Palace and now another boost has been handed to the Eagles.
Wharton finishing high on the Golden Boy list will move him from a £60m player with Bayern Munich said to be keen, into a £80m to £100m player, especially in the event he has a successful Euros.
Despite the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze set to fetch big bucks should they be sold this summer, it would be nothing compared to what Wharton would potentially go for.
As Wharton continues to have his stock explode, the club will be delighted as he could soon be priced out of a move through being worth simply more than any club can afford.
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