Adam Wharton proclaimed he would not “sit here and cry” over his omission from Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad after another standout performance in Crystal Palace’s Conference League triumph.
The midfielder was the catalyst for the Leipzig final’s lone goal, scored by Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 51st minute against Rayo Vallecano to set Palace on their way to a first European trophy and qualification for the Europa League next season.
Wharton was named player of the match, raising questions – not for the first time – as to why he is not joining Tuchel and Palace captain Dean Henderson on the plane to North America for next month’s global showpiece.
“That is just part of football,” said Wharton, who was part of Gareth Southgate’s squad at the 2024 European Championship.
“It was never guaranteed that I was going to go, and I knew that. When (Tuchel) called me, he just told me I was not in the squad. He said it was close. But, like I said, that is football. I am not going to sit here and cry about it.
“I still had two games to start for Palace, and obviously tonight was a massive one. I do not dwell on those things too much.
“It is not the end of the world. I am still young. Hopefully there will be other tournaments and World Cups that I can go to in the future.
“I was just focused on Palace, coming in and getting the win, which we have done. I am glad about that. I have a couple of places booked to go, but I am going to enjoy my summer and tonight.”
The 22-year-old’s excellent delivery nearly teed up Tyrick Mitchell for a first-half stoppage-time opener, but the defender – also backed by some to deserve more of a look-in from the England camp – nodded wide.
Wharton carved his way forward early in the second half, initially looking to pick out Daniel Munoz at the back post before deciding to give it a go himself, after realising Rayo were dropping back and giving him space to get close enough for a shot.
It stung the palms of Augusto Batalla and the ball landed in favour of World Cup-bound France striker Mateta, who turned home one of the most important goals in Palace’s history.
Wharton, who started and played the full game, admitted there was “a lot of doubt” about his participation in Wednesday night’s final after he was forced off in the first half of Palace’s final Premier League match at home to champions Arsenal on Sunday.
He said: “I pretty much had my foot in an ice bucket for the last couple of days, just trying to get the swelling down.
“A few painkillers did the job. To be fair, I could not really shoot fully, so even the shot was not very comfortable. But I was not going to miss a final for a little swollen ankle.”
PA
