- England beat Bosnia 3-0 in their penultimate warm-up game for Euro 2024
- One star impressed and fans insisted he has to make their final 26-man squad
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England fans have hailed the performance of one star after their 3-0 victory over Bosnia and insisted he has to make Gareth Southgate‘s final 26-man squad for Euro 2024.
The Three Lions played their penultimate warm-up clash ahead of the tournament on Monday night and despite a slightly flat performance, they still ran out comfortable winners.
Goals from Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Kane were the difference, but one player in particular caught the eye of fans.
Southgate had named a much-changed team for the clash and midway through the second half he introduced several new faces.
This included Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, who came on in the 62nd minute to make his international debut.
England fans have insisted one player has to be on the plane to Germany for Euro 2024
Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton came off the bench against Bosnia and impressed
Gareth Southgate was effusive in his praise for Wharton and hailed his ‘quality on the ball’
During his 28 minutes on the pitch, Wharton excelled, as he completed all 36 of his passes, while he also created two chances.
The 20-year-old has had a stunning impact since moving to Selhurst Park from Blackburn in January and earned his first England call-up in Southgate’s Euro 2024 provisional 33-man squad.
Many felt he would have been one of the seven stars to miss out when the Three Lions boss cuts his squad down to 26, but several fans hailed the midfielder and claimed he simply must be a part of England’s squad in Germany.
One said: ‘Adam Wharton HAS to be on that plane to the Euros. If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.’
Meanwhile, another supporter said: ‘Adam Wharton played 30 minutes for England tonight and completed 100 per cent of his passes (36/36), created two big chances and made five passes into the final third. This kid HAS to be on the plane to Germany.’
A further fan added: ‘Adam Wharton is such a rare breed of English footballer. There is barely anyone like him.’
An extra one quipped: ‘Adam Wharton’s speed of thought and pass, two-footedness and energy levels are such a breath of fresh air and so unique to this England squad. The plane shouldn’t be a question, it’s going to be hard not to start him.’
Southgate was similarly effusive in his praise when discussing Wharton’s performance post-match.
He said: ‘I like what Adam Wharton’s done with us in the first few days.
‘It’s a big step up from where he was at the beginning of the season but I like the fact he sees pictures early, he plays forward.
‘Obviously he’s got quality on the ball but it’s the ability to receive and play the ball forward that’s really caught our eye.’
After playing for England for the first time, Wharton outlined his delight as he said on X: ‘A dream come true to make my debut for my country.’
Wharton has had a stunning impact since moving to Crystal Palace from Blackburn in January
Several fans took to social media to praise Wharton and insisted he has to be in the final squad
Wharton has enjoyed a dramatic rise over the past 12 months in what is his first full season at professional level.
The midfielder only made his debut for Blackburn at the start of the 2022-23 campaign and played just 18 times in the league as he adapted to the demands of Championship football.
But he excelled for Rovers in the first half of this season before lighting up the Premier League after his move to Crystal Palace.
Such was his impact at Selhurst Park that Wharton has even been linked with a move to Bayern Munich this summer and he will hope to press his case for England again in Friday’s friendly against Iceland at Wembley.