Adam Wharton sends clear Chelsea transfer message

16 Sept 2026 21:02 BST | 4 min read

Adam Wharton, Crystal Palace, 2026/27 — © IMAGO

Tom Weber | Writer

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Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has addressed the speculation over his future after fielding interest from Chelsea and Liverpool this summer.

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The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the most accomplished young midfielders in the Premier League since trading boyhood club Blackburn Rovers for Crystal Palace in early 2024.

At the time, the Eagles beat Chelsea to his signing, and Wharton has only gone from strength to strength since. Were it not for constant minor injuries, he would likely have more than just four senior England caps to his name right now.

Current ETV

Adam Wharton

M (C)

C. Palace

Adam Wharton

M (C)

C. Palace

ETV Range

€42.9M - €52.4M

Wharton has won the FA Cup, Community Shield and Conference League with Palace, and there was a strong sense heading into the summer that he would follow successful head coach Oliver Glasner out the door.

Wharton has never made a secret of his desire to eventually play in the Champions League. Unless Palace win the Europa League this term, it is unlikely that they will be able to help him achieve his dream anytime soon.

Wharton responds to transfer interest

Liverpool, on the other hand, could have allowed Wharton to play in Europe's premier competition. The Reds made the 22-year-old one of their key targets in July, as revealed by FootballTransfers, but Palace's stance was unyielding.

They were adamant that, having lost Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea, they would not sell Wharton. And ultimately, the midfielder did stay put, despite also receiving enquiries from Chelsea and Man City during their squabble over Enzo Fernandez.

When quizzed about Wharton in late August, new head coach Pierre Sage wisely chose not to make any guarantees beyond this summer, admitting that the Englishman could play for a "big club," potentially as early as 2027.

Wharton himself has now been asked about his future, and he seems to be much more comfortable giving Palace supporters assurances than his manager. Speaking ahead of the Eagles' Europa League clash with Lech Poznan, he said: "I never really thought about transfers this summer.

"I stay very far away from it. My agent doesn’t really tell me anything. I don’t want to know anything. If I’m not going to move, there’s no need for me to have any information.

"I never thought about a different club. I was always here training, looking forward to a new season, the gaffer, new players coming in. I have three years left at Palace. For all I know, I’m here for three years unless a club comes in or there’s another contract.

"I take it week by week, game by game. That helps me get best out of myself and concentrate on what is next. There’s never really anything [more] to it. I’m happy to be playing games and trying to improve."

Despite his desire to play in the Champions League, Wharton evidently is looking to force a move away from Crystal Palace.