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Wharton Captures Attention in England’s Euro 2024 Squad

Upon his selection for England’s Euro 2024 squad, midfielder Wharton received high praise from manager Gareth Southgate, who emphasized that the team had been lacking a player of his caliber for “seven or eight years.” Southgate commended Wharton’s proactive style of play, which he believes can enhance the effectiveness of the Three Lions on the pitch.

Wharton himself reflected on his playing style, stating, “[It’s] just the way I play football.” He shared insights into his development as a player, noting that he initially played in a more advanced role, akin to that of an attacking midfielder. This background informs his understanding of positioning and playmaking.

“When I have the ball, if there’s a striker available, I’ll pass to him since he’s the one who can score,” Wharton explained. His approach is team-oriented, prioritizing contributions that lead to goals or assists. He acknowledged, “If I can pass it forward to a player that can be effective, score goals, create chances, get assists then I don’t see why I shouldn’t pass it to them.” He also candidly mentioned his preference for not attempting solo efforts, stating, “I’m not going to dribble through five people and put it in the top corner, that’s just not my game.“

Recently, Wharton spent time training with the England senior squad during the international break, having previously been part of the Under-21s. His training sessions came under the watchful eye of new England manager Thomas Tuchel, who has been regularly attending matches at Selhurst Park to observe Wharton and his Crystal Palace teammates.

Wharton expressed enthusiasm about being involved with the senior team, noting the value of training alongside some of the world’s top players. “It is obviously good to be involved with the senior team. It’s good to try and leave an impression and train with the best players in the world,” he commented.

In addition to training, Wharton mentioned his conversations with Tuchel, highlighting discussions regarding his recovery from injury and the path forward. “He was speaking to me more in general, just about how it has been coming back from injury and things like this. It was good to be there but now I’m just focusing on playing more games and helping the team,” said Wharton, indicating his commitment to making a significant impact in the upcoming matches.

Source
www.bbc.com