'Mockery': Crystal Palace should be seething as Oliver Glasner ignored by England - opinion

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has been named in the England under-21 squad ahead of the upcoming international break in what is a slap in the face to the Premier League club and Oliver Glasner.

Lee Carsley’s side take on France and Portugal this month and Wharton is set for minutes with the under-21 squad despite having become a full blooded England international last year. The midfielder was called up in May 2024 and made his Three Lions debut in June 2024 in a friendly against Bosnia.

Wharton was part of the Euro 2024 squad but didn’t see any minutes in that tournament. Coming back for the 2024/25 season, the former Blackburn Rovers man started the campaign strong but picked up a groin problem in October.

Adam Wharton snubbed by England

The player then missed 14 straight Premier League games between November and January having undergone surgery. He returned in February and has been in fine form, prompting talk of an England return.

In response to that chatter, Oliver Glasner urged caution to Thomas Tuchel and the England set-up, hinting that Wharton was still needing time to reach full fitness. He is yet to complete 90 minutes since his injury.

Glasner said: “He was a little bit rusty in the beginning but then you could see his quality as he adjusted so quickly to the pace of the Premier League again. He played excellent and we’re so pleased to have him back.

“Everybody knows what Adam can do but we have to be patient. Since the final of the Euros he’s struggled, he’ll get more minutes.

“I think for Adam, he will get many games for the Three Lions in his career, I don’t know if this will be the right moment in March after a long injury. Give him time, he’s a young boy with a great talent. But at the end of the day it will be Thomas Tuchel’s decision.”

Tuchel’s Crystal Palace decision risks ‘mockery’ of selection process

It’s, therefore, the biggest insult for Crystal Palace to see Wharton called up for added minutes in his recovery, but not even for the senior squad’s World Cup Qualifier matches against Albania and Latvia.

It’s not only frustrating with the club easing Wharton back from such a serious injury, but there’s a huge argument to be made that the player deserves a place in the senior team. The midfielder was particularly inspired in the 4-1 win over Aston Villa and after that match Jean-Phillipe Mateta said: “When I play with this player, I can score every game.”

This sort of England decision is one that risks making a mockery of the selection process. Just last year, during the September international break, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins were asked questions when pulling out of the England squad.

The Athletic ran a piece at that time on the injury ‘conspiracy’ that sees Premier League clubs over exaggerate injury issues to ensure first team stars can rest during international breaks rather than pick up minutes for their country in fixtures that are not hugely competitive. Seeing the questionable decision with Wharton will surely tempt Crystal Palace to hash out the old ‘illness’ or ‘fatigue’ excuses to protect their players in the future, if England won’t do that.

In other news, Crystal Palace are in ‘advanced talks’ over a contract breakthrough in a blow for West Ham and Fulham.