'He’s a good technician': England manager says Crystal Palace hit jackpot with £18m jewel after heroics

England manager Gareth Southgate has described sensational Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton as a good technician after his heroics of making a smooth transition from the Championship to the Premier League. 

The 20-year-old signed for Palace in January from Blackburn for £18million with add-ons that could take the fee to £22million. Since joining the Eagles, he’s made 16 appearances for the south London club and started every game under new manager Oliver Glasner who has led them to six wins in their last seven games.

They ended up finishing 10th, equaling their best finish in the Premier League. They also equalled their best points tally and had four players called into England’s provisional squad for the Euros. 

And speaking about the midfielder who has risen so fast in the last few months, Southgate said: “It has been an incredible rise. 

“If you look at him and [Kobbie] Mainoo five or six months ago, I don’t think any of us would think we would be talking in this way.

“But this is a little bit of a reflection of the strength of depth in that area of the pitch but also that the two boys have played well.

“[He’s Adam Wharton a] good technician – he can handle the ball really well. He has got a calmness about him that I really like. 

“Palace have found a system that really suits him with a back three behind.

“There are bits we need to find out about that. It also suits Eze and Olise because they are off the wings, not having to defend so far back. He is in a good moment, he is confident and we are keen to find out more about him.”

Wharton made his England Under-21 debut in March after initially being called up to the England Under-20.