Arsenal icon Ian Wright has singled out Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton for special praise, admitting he would have relished the chance to play alongside the rising star.
Wright's glowing midfield verdict
The comments came after Arsenal edged past Crystal Palace in a dramatic Carabao Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with the Gunners eventually triumphing 5-4 in a penalty shootout at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite the defeat, Palace's performance, particularly after a one-sided first half, earned considerable respect. Central to their resilient display was 21-year-old England international Adam Wharton, whose composure and vision caught Wright's expert eye.
"It's the composure and the technical ability. He can get himself out of little pockets of areas," Wright said during ITV's post-match analysis. The former striker, who played for both clubs, elaborated on Wharton's qualities, highlighting his forward-thinking approach.
The 'quarterback' Palace needed
"He's the kind of midfielder I want to be playing in front of because I know he's going to constantly be looking for me, even if it's a difficult pass," Wright added. "He looks forward and that's what you want from him."
Wharton's influence was crystal clear in the build-up to Palace's late equaliser. It was his perfectly delivered free-kick in stoppage time that allowed defender Marc Guehi to head home and force the shootout.
His captain, Joel Ward, echoed Wright's sentiments, describing Wharton as the team's "orchestrator" and "quarterback." "His first thought is to play forward, and he's not scared of making those passes time and time again," Ward stated.
A star attracting major interest
Wharton's stellar form since his move from Blackburn Rovers to Selhurst Park has not gone unnoticed. The midfielder, now valued at around £70 million, is reportedly a target for clubs including Manchester United, with manager Ruben Amorim said to be keen.
His performances have also put him in strong contention for a place in the England squad for the next World Cup. "The sky is the limit for him," Ward concluded, summarising the feeling around the young playmaker.
For Palace, attention now swiftly turns to the Premier League and a London derby against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday, as they look to bounce back from cup disappointment.
