LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: Sports Broadcaster, Gary Lineker and pundit, Micah Richards react prior to The Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on April 16, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Micah Richards and Gary Lineker both agree on Adam Wharton debate after Crystal Palace lose at Everton
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton was recently left out of the England squad for the October international break, despite his impressive form at Crystal Palace.
Adam Wharton continues to go from strength to strength with Crystal Palace, putting in another stellar performance in the last outing on Sunday.
Crystal Palace lost their unbeaten run against Everton who won 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Jack Grealish. But there were plenty of positives to take from the game.
Wharton shone in midfield and arguably should’ve been named Man of the Match, though the award went to Grealish. Gary Lineker though thinks Wharton was the MVP that day.
Gary Lineker and Micah Richards on Adam Wharton’s England omission
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Lineker and Micah Richards were discussing Wharton’s performance against Everton on Sunday and then went on to discuss his recent omission from the England side.
Thomas Tuchel didn’t select Wharton for the England squad for this month’s games, with the Three Lions playing Wales in a friendly and then Latvia in a World Cup qualifier.
Lineker started: “I think Wharton should have won the Man of the Match because he was easily the best player on the pitch. He’s a player, he can play. Why is he not in the England squad? Especially at the moment, they’re short in midfield players because obviously you’ve got a few injured. No Bellingham and Palmer and one or two others. I don’t understand it.”
Richards then added: “The only thing I would say on this is are you going to be bothered if you’re not in the England squad right now? You want to be in before the World Cup. That is priority. He’s had his injuries. Wharton, I 100% agree with you, he’s amazing.
“He is incredible in what he does and he’s got a specific position where a lot of other players don’t want to do. He’s happy to hold, but he can also play the ball forward with quality. But I don’t think it’s a massive issue right now, although I agree with you. He should have been [in the England squad].”
What Tuchel said about Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton after England snub
Following his move from Blackburn Rovers during the 2023/24 season, Wharton has rapidly become one of the hottest young prospects in all of Europe.
Real Madrid are long-term admirers of Wharton, who’s also had links to Bayern Munich along the way. And despite him having a deal until 2029, Crystal Palace are keen to renew Wharton’s contract at the club, showing how highly rated he really is.
But at 21, playing football week in, week out, missing these upcoming England games might not be such a big deal, so long as he’s in the team for the World Cup next summer as Richards says.
And that should be inevitable if he keeps up this impressive form under Oliver Glasner. Tuchel seems to agree, too, saying that Wharton ‘deserves to be with us’, despite leaving him out of the side.
Palace return to action against Bournemouth after the international break.
