‘He looked completely at home’ – Adam Wharton hailed for ‘terrific’ England debut as Gareth Southgate gives Crystal Palace duo thumbs up
Gareth Southgate admitted Adam Wharton has caught his eye as the midfielder, plus Crystal Palace teammate Eberechi Eze shone for England.
Eze started against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday night at St. James’ Park as England ran out 3-0 winners with goals from Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Kane.
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It was a good night for two of the Palace at England contingent on MondayCredit: AFPThe Crystal Palace star was one of the brightest players on the pitch as he looked to break down a stoic defence, using his mesmeric dribbling.
And after the break, his club teammate Wharton made his England debut from the bench and looked a fine asset in midfield, completing all of his passes (37) and registering two key passes.
talkSPORT reporter Durham was full of praise for the pair, making a case for both of them to make the final 26-man squad this Friday.
Speaking of Wharton, Durham said live on talkSPORT: “He has come on in that second half after about an hour. I don’t think I’ve seen a more comfortable England debut in my life.
READ MORE ON ENGLAND”I’ve watched a lot of England players make their debuts over the years, I thought he just looked completely at home.
“Boxing Day he’s getting booked at Huddersfield and now he’s taken to the Premier League and it is like nothing has happened.
“He takes to it straight away, he has come on the pitch here for his England debut and he looked so comfortable and looks so at home.
“He used the ball well, I don’t think he gave the ball away once. I thought he was absolutely terrific. He has got a huge future in an England shirt.”
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Wharton completed all 37 passes he attempted, including two key passesCredit: Getty
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Eze was arguably England’s brightest light in the first halfCredit: GettySpeaking about Eze, Durham said: “Eberechi Eze was terrific in that first half.”
Southgate will have to cut his squad from 33 down to 26 by midnight on Friday and some might have considered Eze and Wharton as two that could be let go.
But the two have certainly played themselves into consideration, with Southgate even praising Eze, adding: “Ebere has got lovely movement to go past players, he’s got power.”
On Wharton, the England boss said: “I like what Adam Wharton’s done with us in the first few days.
“It’s a big step up from where he was at the beginning of the season but I like the fact he sees pictures early, he plays forward.
“Obviously he’s got quality on the ball but it’s the ability to receive and play the ball forward that’s really caught our eye.”
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England are next in action on Friday when they face Iceland at Wembley, live on talkSPORT.
The Three Lions then jet off to Germany for Euro 2024, where they open their tournament against Serbia on June 16.