How Adam Wharton has gone from living with parents round the corner from training to £18m star touted for Euro 2024
NOTHING has fazed Adam Wharton about stepping up to the Premier League or being touted for England.
But moving to London has been a whole other matter.
The Crystal Palace midfielder, 20, has excelled on the pitch since joining the Eagles in January, and after his display in the 4-0 win over Manchester United, fans want him in England’s Euro 2024 squad.
But his new central London flat is a world away from the old family home, around the corner from former club Blackburn‘s training ground.
Wharton told SunSport: “I was five minutes from the training ground so it was nice and easy.
“Low rent, it was perfect. The rent is a lot more here and the traffic is a lot busier!
“I’ve settled really well. The lads made it easier. It’s a big change, living on my own.
“Sorting out all the bills, that is a lot of work. I am laid back and relaxed. I train, go back. Maybe go for a walk around London, watch football if it’s on – which it is most nights thankfully. Gives me plenty to do.
“I try to cook some food, that is bang average. My speciality… Pasta.
“I’m nothing special but I don’t mind too much. I like what I cook and I’m on my own so I don’t have to worry about anyone else judging me.”
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While no one is running the rule over Wharton’s cooking, there have been plenty of eyes on his football – and everyone has been impressed.
The Blackburn academy graduate, who joined Palace for £18million ahead of interest from Chelsea, has made just 15 Premier League appearances but has already had a huge impact.
Wharton has become crucial to Oliver Glasner’s transformation in South London, operating at the heart of midfield as they ran Manchester City close, beat Liverpool at Anfield and thumped five past West Ham and another four against Manchester United.
He said: “I definitely didn’t think it would go as well as it has.
“I thought maybe I’d get a few appearances here and there because it is a big step up.
“You don’t know what is going to happen with a new team, new environment but the lads were great as soon as I came in.”
Things did not get off to the perfect start, however.
I definitely didn’t think it would go as well as it has. I thought maybe I’d get a few appearances here and there because it is a big step up.
Adam Wharton
Wharton’s debut came at Brighton, thrown on at 1-0 down against their fierce rivals due to Marc Guehi picking an injury.
Soon after he came on it was 2-0 and then a minute later he was caught on the ball just before the Seagulls grabbed their third.
It was a moment which could have crushed many top players on their Premier League debut – but then boss Roy Hodgson was still impressed and it gave Wharton a kick in the right direction.
He added: “It wasn’t the best start, definitely.
“It was always going to happen, you’re never going to play every game perfect.
“I got caught on the ball and then they went on to score from that. It was a moment where you realise to switch on, you can’t spend that much time on the ball, play simple, play fast.
“It was a wake-up call. I knew after that I would be fine. I carried on with the game as usual.
“You can’t let if affect you in a negative way as it’s only going to get worse. I did alright.
“I definitely stepped on from there. It has helped me as much as it was a bad moment at the time.
“Without that I wouldn’t have learned that lesson.”
The rent is a lot more here and the traffic is a lot busier!
Adam Wharton
Since that moment Palace fans have witnessed a calm, composed and creative presence in midfield.
His laid back approach to life was always noticed by previous teachers and coaches, who say he has not changed from grassroots to the Premier League.
Sitting in a corner of Crystal Palace’s training ground with Wharton confirms that – he could not be further from the stereotype of a young footballer.
There is nothing flash here whatsoever.
The midfielder uses social media but it is “just photos of me playing football”, while he has not been overawed by facing Premier League stars (though Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes impressed him the most) or being highlighted on Match of the Day.
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Wharton said: “That is just the way I am, I don’t look into it too much.
“Like everything on social media, you can see it and be dragged in and maybe think that you’ve made it.
“You can’t think like that otherwise people keep getting better, they’ll pass you and you won’t be in the team playing.
“Even after games when my friends are messaging me saying: ‘Have you got any shirts? Did you get De Bruyne’s shirt?’ I don’t really think about that I just play football.
“Has anyone asked me for my shirt yet? No, no. I’m not there yet! That might be a pinch me moment.”
One thing that would surely mark a moment to remember would be a shock England call for this summer’s Euros, something many at Selhurst Park think he deserves.
Wharton – as always – is relaxed about his summer plans, but has little worry that it would be too soon.
He said: “It is great to see, obviously.
“You can’t complain, it’s not on my mind at all unless I’m asked about it. That is the best way for me to go about it.
“If I got it then, brilliant. If not then that’s football, recover in the summer and then go again.
“I’ve only played 15 games in the Premier League, I’m not expecting anything.
“I can’t say if I’d be ready. I wouldn’t say I can’t do it. I believe in myself that I can play football for whoever, whenever and wherever.
“I am focused on myself and playing to the best of my ability.”