England boss Thomas Tuchel created many talking points with his England World Cup squad selection last week – but Adam Wharton’s performance in Crystal Palace’s night of European history only made for more debate about his omission.
The Palace midfielder delivered a man-of-the-match display as the Eagles beat Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final to win their first ever European trophy.
Wharton, 22, will not travel to this summer’s tournament after Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel picked Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Eberechi Eze, Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers as his midfield options.
Former England star Glenn Hoddle was among the many surprised by the decision and aired his views before and after Wharton delivered an impressive performance in Palace’s historic night.
“A little bit surprised,” he told TNT Sports before the 1-0 victory in Leipzig.
“I love the way he looks forward and passes. He can hit killer balls, balls that take the whole defence out with one pass.
“I am not sure we have got that many who can do that from a deep-lying position on a consistent level. So definitely my eyebrows went up when I saw he wasn’t there.”
After the game, Hoddle added: “This is the quality that we have got. I would have had him in the squad. He is a wonderful footballer.
“He is a top professional. He could easily play for England but which one [midfielder] shouldn’t be playing?”
Former England and Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott added: “He hasn’t let that decision impact his performance.
“He is a top professional as well as mentally strong enough to deal with setbacks and to cope with that. Like I said before the game, he could easily play for England.”
How Wharton helped Palace to glory
There was only real one winner of the man of the match award after Wharton’s performance.
It was not just how he advanced the ball from deep, it was how he helped Palace control possession in Rayo Vallecano’s half, which was crucial to the Eagles’ success here.
There was a touch of fortune in how his shot created the winner as Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla should have pushed the effort away rather than into the path of Jean-Philippe Mateta, but it was the drive and ambition of the Palace midfielder to have a go which made the goal.
He should have had an assist after a sumptuous cross for Tyrick Mitchell at the end of the first half should have been converted but was headed wide.
Wharton was crucial off the ball, too. He was physical in aerial duels and also broke up play well to stop Palace’s Spanish opponents from putting too much pressure on their defence.
Nobody had more touches than him in the game and nobody made more passes into the final third.
It was an all-round brilliant central midfield display and he delivered it on a huge stage in what was arguably the biggest night in Palace’s history.
And it was another performance which will attract the attention of the big clubs who may be in need of a midfielder this summer.
‘There was a spot for Wharton’
There was certainly some surprise when England boss Tuchel opted to leave Wharton out of his 26-man squad heading to the World Cup.
Palace may have not had a great domestic season given they finished 15th in the Premier League and went out of the FA Cup against non-League Macclesfield – but they have now won a European trophy and Wharton was hugely influential in that.
This Conference League final performance was another reason to be wondering why Wharton is not on the plane.
The decision to pick Brentford midfielder Henderson at the age of 35 over the 22-year-old Wharton may be the most eye-catching and surprising selection.
Henderson has obviously been picked for his experience but Wharton would probably have more to give on the pitch if you compare not only their performances this season but also last term.
“I understand why the manager has taken Henderson but for me if he is going to do that kind of job, take him as a coach,” said Hoddle. “Take him as a player-coach if you like but I think there was a spot there for Wharton.”
The re-emergence of Mainoo at Manchester United has also not helped Wharton given the Palace midfielder was in Tuchel’s squads for the last two international breaks and featured in qualifiers against Serbia and Albania before a friendly appearance against Uruguay in March.
Mainoo, given he was being frozen out at Old Trafford by Ruben Amorim for the first half of the season, was not involved under Tuchel until the March friendlies and now has won his way into favour.
Both were at Euro 2024 but Wharton never got on the pitch while Mainoo started all four knockout games, including the final.
Arsenal’s Declan Rice is surely one of the first names on the team-sheet and Elliot Anderson is expected to partner him while Tuchel also has Bellingham, Eze and Rogers as midfield options.
It certainly feels a very harsh decision to leave someone like Wharton at home, even if Tuchel has many choices in the position.
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