‘Incredible’ – Gareth Southgate praises Adam Wharton’s rise to provisional England Euro 2024 squad

Gareth Southgate says Adam Wharton’s rise to the provisional England squad for Euro 2024 has been incredible.

The Crystal Palace midfielder, 20, has been called up to the senior Three Lions squad for the first time in his career ahead of Euro 2024.

Wharton joined the Eagles in the January transfer window from Championship side Blackburn and has seamlessly adapted to life in the Premier League.

He was called up to the 33-man squad, which will be cut to 26 by June 8, alongside Eagles team-mates Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze and Dean Henderson.

Wharton was only promoted to the England U21 squad for the first time in the March international break.

“It has been an incredible rise,” admitted Southgate.

“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 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.”