Adam Wharton Scout Report At Crystal Palace 2024/2025: The Eagles’ Progressive Midfield Brain – Player Analysis

Central midfielder Adam Wharton has been a revelation since joining a struggling Crystal Palace side in the 2024 January window.

His silky left foot and relentless work rate have been a massive part of the Oliver Glasner-led sides upturn in form, and he will soon be looking to help the Eagles lift their first major trophy in the FA Cup. 

Despite an injury-hit year, Wharton has still managed to take his game to the next level. 

His confidence and comfort in the worlds toughest league are only growing.

Rumours are growing about which top sides are looking to swoop including Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Liverpool.

With £100m fees being touted for his services, how good can this young English midfielder become?

This scout report and Adam Wharton analysis will examine his role in the Palace team, his current strengths and weaknesses, and his true potential ahead of the summer transfer window.

Adam Wharton Style Of Play

For his club, Adam Wharton operates on the right side of a midfield pairing in a 5-2-3 / 5-4-1 formation.

Adam Wharton style of play is an old-school ‘8’ in his style and loves to be involved at both ends of the pitch.

He is not a specialist CDM or CAM like many modern players. 

He is a front-footed, forward-thinking central midfielder with abundant energy and a great work ethic.

Both on and off the ball, he looks to be aggressive, pressing the opposition high and looking to move the ball forward when in possession.

His combination of out-of-possession tenacity and on-the-ball elegance makes him such a unique profile and creates the current market demand. 

Adam Wharton Ball Progression

Arguably, Whartons biggest strength is his ability to progress in play and transition into attack.

He appears very simple and has openly discussed his hesitancy in overcomplicating or making football fancy.

Instead, Wharton looks to take one touch and execute his action, leaving defenders with much less time to react. 

Amongst top-five league midfielders, Wharton ranks in the 72nd percentile for progressive passes per 90, 74th for passes per 90, and 93rd for dangerous passes per 90.

Adam Wharton Stats

Wharton is very vertically dominant in his passing options.

He enjoys starting attacks, and this works well alongside Jefferson Lerma, who is much safer in possession.