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Adam Wharton has lifted the lid on his passing techniques as he attempts to guide Crystal Palace past Liverpool in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup encounter.
Palace’s midfield visionary is well known to Liverpool, the Premier League champions are among his biggest admirers, and he is fast attracting more with every game.
The effortless manner in which Wharton so often controls the midfield area and sets his forwards in motion means the 21-year-old is high on the shopping lists of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Chelsea as they plan ahead for next summer.
Bayern Munich and Tottenham have been rebuffed in attempts to prize him from Selhurst Park while both Manchester clubs are also among his growing list of fans.
The key is the simplicity and calmness Wharton brings to the pitch. ‘I try and spot the play I’m going to make before I take possession,’ says Wharton, who plays with his head constantly swiveling, scanning the space around him. ‘So, then I don’t have to think too hard when I get the ball.
But I’m always looking to make a forward pass, if possible, try and help the team get up the pitch and create chances. Sometimes I’ve already seen it from looking, other times I just improvise.
Adam Wharton has revealed the secrets behind his impeccable performances in midfield
The 21-year-old is Crystal Palace’s passing maestro and a target for top European clubs
‘If I know what I’m going to do before I get the ball it’s harder for the opposition to win the ball off me or read it if they don’t have time to get there, so if I’ve already seen the play, I can move it as quickly as possible.’
The chief benefactor in recent months has been Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, whose six goals this season have earned him a call-up to the French national side.
Wharton recognizes the big center forward’s preference is for the ball to be played so he can run behind defenses. And, having played in a more attacking role as a boy growing up, Wharton likes to deliver his pass with a message.
‘The weight and the execution, sends the message in the pass,’ he says.
‘If I’m playing behind (the defense) then pass it into the space, obviously, the message is to run onto it. If I’m fizzing it hard, then the message is to take a touch, or if I roll it into space, maybe the message is to pass first time or shoot. Hopefully, overall, the message is ‘I’ve made it easy for you, now finish it off’!
‘JP makes a lot of runs behind. So, if I see him make that run, my aim is to give it to him in the space so he can run on and maybe hit it first time or as soon as possible. If it’s to feet, then deliver it nicely on the floor to either his left or right foot to try and tell him which way to turn or set.’
The Englishman will look to pile more misery on Arne Slot on Wednesday night
Wharton, who was something of a YouTube sensation with the skill videos he and his school friends used to post, now has his sights set on Champions League football and impressing Thomas Tuchel enough to make England’s World Cup squad.
The Wilpshere Pirlo, so named because of the village near Blackburn where he grew up, can expect a new contract offer soon from Palace. The club intends to offer improved terms with the possible caveat of a release clause as Champions League suitors gather for the super chilled youngster.
Palace understand that after winning two trophies under Oliver Glasner, he has ambitions and the ability to go even higher.
‘There is no end goal,’ Wharton told the Men in Blazers Network. It’s just keep going, going and going until I can’t go any more and hopefully by then I’ve played at the highest level possible.
Just to be as successful as possible. That’s the aim.’
