Adam Wharton believes he has what it takes to step into Kalvin Phillips’ shoes in Gareth Southgate’s England midfield for Euro 2024. With Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recent shift to midfield being deemed an “experiment” by Southgate, Wharton sees an opportunity to make his mark. The 20-year-old, who transitioned from Blackburn to Crystal Palace in February, is eager to prove himself as a viable option alongside Declan Rice.
Confident and Ready to Contribute
Wharton exudes confidence in his abilities, stating, “I have faith that no matter the circumstances, I can make an impact in any game. If I doubted myself, I wouldn’t be here. My mindset is that I can influence any match, so I’m preparing to step up if needed.” His self-assured attitude underlines his readiness to seize any opportunity that comes his way.
Filling Big Shoes
Kalvin Phillips played a pivotal role in England’s journey to the Euro 2020 final, starting every match and earning the title of England’s player of the year. However, Phillips’ move to Manchester City in 2022 and a subsequent challenging loan period at West Ham have seen him fall out of favor with the national team. Southgate acknowledged the difficulty of finding a natural replacement for Phillips after the 1-1 draw with Denmark in Frankfurt.
Aiming for Group C Supremacy
As England prepares to face Slovenia on Tuesday, Wharton reflects on Phillips’ contributions in the previous Euros. “Kalvin was one of the standout players for England at the last Euros, and his performances were crucial in reaching the final,” Wharton noted. Despite his limited experience with the national team, having only played 28 minutes, Wharton is aware of the comparisons. “There are similarities in our playing styles and attributes, but we each have our strengths,” he added.
England is determined to secure the top spot in Group C and advance to the knockout stages, with Wharton hopeful of playing a significant role in their campaign.
