There is a degree of dismissal with Crystal Palace when it comes to Adam Wharton. They enjoy him as long as they can.
The presence of Real Madrid representatives during their competitions in recent weeks is little surprise for those in Selhurst Park.
Palace has braced himself for Wharton's departure since his arrival from Blackburn just over 12 months ago.
The South London Club has a talent of identifying excavated gems: Michael Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Marc Guehi and Ebereechi Eze all picked from the dark.
There is a feeling in Palace that Wharton can become the best of the party, although Olise's versions in Bayern Munich have seen the wing player to a different level the season.
But everything on time for Wharton, who is undoubtedly intended for the top.
Not that you would necessarily believe such daring predictions by just looking at him. His smallness in the frame makes you doubt whether he can withstand the brutality of the battle in the Premier League.
Indeed, there is a theory that Wharton requires protection next to him to play his natural game.
Those in Palace reject who claims claims and get it that Wharton's speed of the mind enables him to navigate through the crowds and crowds to offer his technical qualities with space to breathe.
His constant scanning over both shoulders and the landscape that goes before him before he receives a pass enables Wharton to paint photos in his mind. He knows what he wants to do before the ball is at his feet.
His intelligence in finding space off-the-ball with a view to positioning himself in areas where he can perform ahead also fit a clear feature of his game.
Being safe with both feet means that he can find a pass without his midfield rivals coming close to him. Then there is the weight of pass … wow.
His selection for the Euro 2024 team last summer, in the last games of Gareth Southgate who were in charge of England, came as a shock despite his excellent displays under Oliver Glasner towards the end of last season.
Wharton didn't play in Germany for a single minute. Yet he left with his reputation – especially with his English teammates who saw Wharton's excellence in possession every day.
His stint in Germany, however, came at a cost. During the tournament he had suffered from grass problems that he transported in the new season – his first full Premier League campaign with Palace.
There was Hope Wharton who could go through his way, but at the beginning of November a decision was made to operate after he had come loose after just 27 minutes from an EFL cup win on Aston Villa.
The procedure would keep him out for four weeks, but because of complications, Wharton spent 12 weeks in rehabilitation.
Not that you would know because of the way he rediscovered his rhythm and current after he finally returned last month.
Glasner, whose team form hits after a slow start of the season, will pick the benefits of his progressive midfielder return to fitness.
How long he will be able to do this is still to be seen.
Everton, Brighton, West Ham and Tottenham all showed to a variety of interest in the 18 months prior to Palace's £ 22 million Swoop – former Hammers -Consultant Alan Irvine took a particularly beautiful to Wharton.
With all due respect for the aforementioned quartet of clubs, Wharton's next step should see the midfielder to the top.
Bayern Munich retains a long -term interest in the midfielder. But it is the prospect of a Real Madrid -Middenveld from Wharton and Jude Bellingham that would really generate appetite.
Playing in the capital of Spain would surpass a trip of the Blackburn Reserve match against Tottenham against Tottenham in September 2022 in September 2022, which for the first time warned Palace on the quality of Wharton, although it was his performance in a Carabao Cup -Similar game last season that eventually saw them solidify their interest.
It is known that Manchester City has a great interest in Wharton, but after signing Nico Gonzales from Porto in January, it is still to be seen whether Pep Guardiola will go for another central midfielder at the end of the season.
Arsenal will also be on the market for at least one central midfielder in the summer with Thomas Partey and Jorginho who leave.
One of those slots is expected to be filled by Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, with Arsenal to activate his £ 51 million release clause at the end of the season.
Whether Arsenal would be willing to spend the type of money, at least £ 70 million, on another midfielder when they are under enormous pressure to sign a center, seems doubtful. Liverpool can also go to a central midfielder.
With the future of Palace captain Marc Guehi and Ebereechi Eze uncertain, the prospect seems that Palace loses all three for the following season insellatively for Glasner.
The South London Club hope to avoid the inevitable as long as possible. There is indeed a strong argument for Wharton to stay in Palace next season after the injuries of this season.
After halfway through the previous campaign, he is still a full Premier League season.
If he stays and avoids an injury for the following season, then Palace will be difficult to keep him.
But sooner or later Wharton receives an offer that is too good for him and palace to refuse.
Insight by Danny Murphy
Adam Wharton makes the game look effortlessly. He is comfortable in possession, progressive with his death and loves to break the lines and open defenses. That is all that Spanish teams want from Ball-Play midfielders.
He trusts his creativity and technical skills, but without relaxing the defensive side.
At the age of 21, Wharton is a quiet, gifted midfielder who finds football easy. Everything he needs now, after his return of a lies injury, is a series of competitions to make the field around, like last season.
It is remarkably Crystal Palace to buy him for just £ 22 million a year ago – you expected rival bidders to increase the price.
It is probably because so much emphasis is being placed on the physical side of the game in the Premier League. Too many scouts assess that first, when it has to be secondary to the assets. Wharton is not missing on the physical side, it is simply not his most important asset. But I am not surprised that he will be viewed by Real Madrid.
I thought the big boys might have called before. Possibly the delay is because he was injured.
He was immediately a highlight and went from the championship in Blackburn to the Premier League with Palace. The fact that he didn't need time to adapt, tells you a lot about his self -confidence and the mentality he hears at the top. That is rare with young players.
You saw it with Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen, who came through the Academy System and came out of the scene.
The way Wharton did it is very unusual. It underlines its ability to deal with pressure.
I was surprised that he was no longer used by England at the euro, when we had trouble dominating lesser teams because that is his strength – receiving the ball in tight areas and playing progressive football.
It is great to see him again and every explorer who watched him against Aston Villa last Tuesday would have seen him a pass who could not do much – and it was with his weaker right foot. He is a super talent for great things. He has tackled every step up and I don't see it stop now.
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