Still no England call for Wharton
Despite an impressive start to the season with Palace, the 21-year-old midfielder was omitted from Tuchel's 24-man squad for the upcoming Three Lions fixtures. However, the German manager reached out to him, explaining that he was overlooked since he chose to stick to the same squad that triumphed over Andorra and Serbia.
'Close' but not yet!
In an honest response, Wharton shared the message from the England manager: "He just gave me a message saying I'm playing well, I'm close and I deserve to be there, but he's going to stick with the same team. That's football, I'm not too fussed about that. I can take the time off, go see my grandparents, and it's not the end of the world, as there's another camp next month.
“I'm just focusing on Crystal Palace and playing well, and hopefully, if I play well, I'll get the call. It's nice to hear, but I think my focus is on Palace and if that goes well, then England is just a bonus.”
Not the end of the world for Wharton
While being left out may have stung, Wharton showed remarkable maturity in handling the situation. He didn’t shy away from the harsh realities of competition for places in the England setup, acknowledging the depth of talent available to Tuchel.
“Nothing is expected," he said. "England have some top players and he's got a lot of players to choose from. No matter who he picks, someone is not going to get in, and there will be a fuss about it. I can't sit here and cry about it. This is football, and I'm happy playing for Palace and getting minutes and trying to do as well as I can and improve, and if I get picked, I get picked. If not, I'll carry on playing for Palace and enjoying it – there's nothing else I can do really.
“Obviously, everyone wants to play for their country if they get chosen, but, like I said, this is football and he's got plenty of top players to choose from, and that's what he gets paid to do, pick the team and help England go well. Hopefully, they kick on and get the results they need to qualify for the World Cup. I'll keep knocking on the door, and if I'm in, I'm in, and if not, I'll carry on."
Wharton ready to make his case for England
Looking ahead, Wharton knows the best way to earn his England recall is by continuing his excellent form for Palace. With seven more games before November's international break, including against Bournemouth on October 18, the midfielder has plenty of opportunities to impress Tuchel before the next squad announcement. The door to the Three Lions may be slightly ajar now, but if Wharton continues his upward trajectory, it's only a matter of time before he bursts through.