The 2024/25 campaign has been a tough one for Crystal Palace No.20 Adam Wharton so far.
After Dougie Freedman signed him in a £22m deal from Blackburn during the January transfer window, the midfield maestro saw his career take off significantly.
The man born in Blackburn became a Premier League sensation, helping Crystal Palace secure six wins and a draw from the final seven games of last season, before earning a shock spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for UEFA EURO 2024.
Unfortunately, the 20-year-old suffered a groin injury while away in Germany over the summer.
Wharton has required painkillers to get through games for Crystal Palace so far this season as a result of the niggling problem, and his performances have suffered.
In truth, many of his teammates have also struggled to perform, leaving Crystal Palace 18th in the Premier League.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 18 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 3 |
Now – however – there has been a small update on Adam Wharton which will please Oliver Glasner.
FA send Adam Wharton back to Crystal Palace after England U21 assessment
Speaking in his press conference last week, Glasner revealed that Crystal Palace would chat to the FA to ask if Wharton could be relieved of international duty in order to let his groin rest, after he received a call up for the England U21 side.
Now – according to the Evening Standard – the Austrian has got his wish, as the FA have sent the Crystal Palace No.20 back to south London, where he will continue his rehabilitation at Copers Cope.
Glasner left Wharton out of a friendly against Ipswich Town on Wednesday, which suggests the plan is to give the youngster as much time as possible to rest during the current international break.
Oliver Glasner needs Adam Wharton back at 100%
Wharton, who Manchester City admire, is not the main issue at Selhurst Park right now by any means – the lack of balance in attack with Eddie Nketiah strangely playing on the right, and also the loss of Joachim Andersen, are more pressing problems.
However, there is no denying that we miss our No.20’s incisive passing through the lines and his terrier-like pressing.
Data shows that Crystal Palace have taken 37 shots from outside the box this season – the fourth most of any Premier League side – which suggests we are forcing attacks, and are not creating many chances inside the box.
The likes of Will Hughes, Cheick Doucoure and Jefferson Lerma have always been more industrial midfielders rather than a source of creativity like Wharton, so we desperately need the Blackburn-born maestro back to his best as soon as possible.
