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The Rise of Wharton: How the Eagles Midfielder Attracted the Attention of Top Clubs.

Adam Wharton's meteoric climb from Blackburn Rovers academy graduate to Crystal Palace's midfield dynamo has become one of English football's most gripping stories. Wharton, 21, has already won the FA Cup and played a key role in an Eagles team that is rewriting the club's history. His mix of technical proficiency, vision, and mental maturity has drew the notice of Europe's elite, establishing him as one of the continent's most sought-after young talents. This blog delves into Wharton's rise to prominence, the characteristics that have contributed to his success, his tactical role, and why he has become a target for the world's biggest clubs. ​ Foundations: Blackburn Roots and Early Breakthrough Adam James Wharton’s footballing journey started at Blackburn Rovers, where he joined the academy at just six years old. Growing up supporting the club, Wharton rapidly ascended their youth ranks, making his professional debut in an EFL Cup match at 18. His c...
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England's tentative Euro 2024 squad: key exclusions.

We now know the provisional England squad for Euro 2024, which takes place this summer.

Gareth Southgate has named a large 33-man squad, which will be reduced to 26 players before the plane leaves for Germany.

The Three Lions will have one of the most skilled football teams in the tournament, making them a strong contender to win the Henri Delaunay trophy for the first time.

That means that many big-name players have missed out on a spot in the team, and some of them may consider themselves unlucky not to be included in the manager's plans. Others have simply not performed well enough.

Southgate's major absences from the England squad for Euro 2024:

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford's form has plummeted this season after scoring 30 goals for Manchester United the previous season. He has only scored eight goals and has battled injuries. Once regarded as a key member of the England team, there is simply too much quality in the wide spaces to accommodate him now. 

Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson, who left Liverpool last summer in pursuit of a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia, now finds himself at Ajax with none of that money and no place in England's squad less than a year later. The former captain has suffered a significant decline in reputation.

Reece James 

Reece James, one of the most skilled and gifted footballers of his time, has suffered a string of terrible injuries. The right-back returned to Chelsea near the end of the season, but his stint was cut short with a red card against Brighton. There simply wasn't enough time for him to persuade Southgate.

Dominic Solanke

A career-high 19 goals in a Premier League season would ordinarily be enough to get you into the England squad, but Dominic Solanke is still waiting for his second appearance. The writing was on the wall when the Bournemouth striker was not called up for the March internationals, with Southgate instead selecting Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney to back up Harry Kane.

Ben Chilwell 

Being a Chelsea full-back means always worrying about injuries. Ben Chilwell is one of England's better choices on the left side of the back four, but he only started nine Premier League games this season.

Jadon Sancho

It's hardly surprising that Jadon Sancho did not make the cut, given that his last England cap was in 2021. However, the winger had hoped that his good performances on loan at Borussia Dortmund would earn him a chance.

Harvey Elliott

This event may have come too soon for Harvey Elliott. The Liverpool teenager has had a breakout season, with three goals and six assists in the Premier League. He only made 11 top-flight starts, which likely kept him from making the step up to international level.

Ben White 

We all expected Ben White wouldn't be picked, but it's still surprising that one of the season's top defenders won't be going to Euro 2024. The Arsenal player reportedly fell out with assistant Steve Holland, triggering his early departure from the 2022 World Cup. He has not played for England since.

Levi Colwill

Chelsea hasn't had a fantastic year, but Levi Colwill has been one of the club's best defensive players. The 21-year-old, who can play both centrally and on the left, was largely expected to make the cut. With his absence, Luke Shaw is the sole specialist left-back in the team.

Nick Pope

In this writer's opinion, Nick Pope is the greatest goalkeeper available to Southgate, but a dislocated shoulder in December sidelined him for more than five months. He returned for Newcastle United's final game of the season, but there is simply too much competition in goal for the manager to bring someone who has recently recovered from a significant injury.

Kalvin Phillips

To no one's surprise, Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips did not make the squad. The 28-year-old joined West Ham on loan in January to keep his England hopes alive, but it turned out to be a nightmare for the former Leeds United star.

Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling, another player who was once an integral part of Southgate's ambitions, is now on the outside looking in. It's not a stunning omission, given the Chelsea winger has clearly declined over the last two seasons. 

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