Wharton ready to sparkle as England's missing gem
Evening Standard|May 08, 2024
Midfielder looks like perfect fit alongside Rice and Bellingham
Dom Smith
Wharton ready to sparkle as England's missing gem

ENGLAND'S starting line-up is the strongest across the continent and the principal reason Gareth Southgate's side are favourites to win Euro 2024.

Goalscorer? None better than Harry Kane. Elite wide players? Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka. Chief creator? Jude Bellingham. Midfield engine room? Declan Rice.

But there is one significant piece missing from this rather lavish jigsaw.

To provide a platform for that dazzling front four, Rice needs a metronomic partner who can anchor himself to the middle of the park and keep things ticking over.

At Euro 2020, that calming influence was Kalvin Phillips. But Phillips is not an option this summer, his West Ham loan spell a disaster and his confidence shot.

Step forward Adam Wharton. The 20-year-old already looks like the perfect third piece in England's midfield.

Since his £22million January move from Blackburn to Crystal Palace and an error on his debut that led to a Brighton goal, he has seldom put a foot wrong.

This story is from the May 08, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 08, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM EVENING STANDARDView All
Are you ready for medieval-core?
The London Standard

Are you ready for medieval-core?

No one was more surprised than medieval armourer Matthew Finchen.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 06, 2025
Worth the wait This is a beautifully written triumph
The London Standard

Worth the wait This is a beautifully written triumph

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's first novel since 2013's Americanah is a winner

time-read
3 mins  |
March 06, 2025
Low-budget indie film Anora wins big at the Oscars
The London Standard

Low-budget indie film Anora wins big at the Oscars

“The more Hollywood changes, the more it remains the same,” writes Ty Burr.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 06, 2025
Forget the Trump noisepeace could now be possible
The London Standard

Forget the Trump noisepeace could now be possible

There's much to fixate on, but it's best to judge the President on the substance

time-read
4 mins  |
March 06, 2025
Is it the final call for the Heathrow villagers?
The London Standard

Is it the final call for the Heathrow villagers?

Life with the residents whose homes could be destroyed if a third runway touches down

time-read
6 mins  |
March 06, 2025
The Fat Badger, London's first invite-only pub
The London Standard

The Fat Badger, London's first invite-only pub

A riotously fun boozer that doesn't officially exist? No wonder celebs are secretly flocking here

time-read
3 mins  |
March 06, 2025
Marlon James on why Kingston is Jamaica's beating cultural heart
The London Standard

Marlon James on why Kingston is Jamaica's beating cultural heart

Whether it’s parties, patties or patois, this Caribbean capital is a non-stop celebration, says the Booker Prize-winning author

time-read
5 mins  |
March 06, 2025
The London socialite. His aristocrat killer. And a mother's search for justice
The London Standard

The London socialite. His aristocrat killer. And a mother's search for justice

The brutal, ketamine-fuelled killing of a public schoolboy shocked the world. In our new true-crime podcast, we tell the real story

time-read
7 mins  |
March 06, 2025
“Last year's Festival was brutal, but we're ready to put it right”
The London Standard

“Last year's Festival was brutal, but we're ready to put it right”

The Guinness Village is, to Cheltenham racegoers, something of a field of dreams.

time-read
6 mins  |
March 06, 2025
Me, Marrakech and I: How to ace a solo female trip
The London Standard

Me, Marrakech and I: How to ace a solo female trip

I first visited Marrakech with my then-boyfriend in 2004, when I spent my days getting lost in the labyrinthine souks and witnessing snake charmers hypnotise cobras. Over 20 years later, I decided to see how it fared for females going it alone.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 06, 2025