A Crystal Palace midfielder is a player Manchester City should move for this summer | OneFootball

When you look at who Manchester City could target in the summer some players that jump off the page as players City must sign. One of those is Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz. Another player you could potentially also put in the same category is Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. Jacob Brown has previously relayed a report from Graeme Bailey for TBR Football that Manchester City have an interest in signing Adam Wharton in the summer. When you look at Wharton as a player it’s clear to see why and you can imagine that he could develop into an elite midfielder under Pep Guardiola.

When you analyse Adam Wharton as a player you can see that he has all of the tools required to make it at the highest level.

The first attribute that stands out in Adam Wharton’s game is his passing ability. The England international has almost every type of pass in his kitbag. Wharton can create chances with his passing and help maintain possession. There is an argument to be made that England hasn’t produced a player with the passing range of Adam Wharton for some time. There are shades of Michael Carrick, for example, in Wharton’s passing ability. The highlights below of Wharton’s performance during Crystal Palace’s recent 1-nil win over Ipswich Town show a snippet of Wharton’s quality in possession.

Adam Wharton typically plays in midfield for Crystal Palace as part of a double pivot in midfield. He isn’t an out-and-out number six, nor is he a number eight. Although you do sense that he has the tools to become elite in either position. Wharton is strong in a challenge, although he isn’t yet elite at reading the play, so to speak. At times he can be caught out with his position hence why he plays alongside another holding midfielder. But you do feel that Wharton, being 21 years of age, that side of his game will develop.

Does Adam Wharton fit into the current Manchester City squad?

The simple answer to that question is yes. First of all, Adam Wharton’s strengths and key attributes do look to be ideally made for playing in a Manchester City side. His passing ability alone would add another dimension to City’s play. With the role that he plays for Crystal Palace, you could see that same role being filled by Wharton in a Pep Guardiola side. But outside of that, there is another area where you can see Wharton slotting into the current Manchester City squad.

Adam Wharton is a homegrown player and that could prove to be a pivotal point that decides whether or not Manchester City move for Wharton in the summer. If we see Jack Grealish, Nathan Ake or John Stones, for example, depart City in the summer, that’s where Wharton’s homegrown status could prove to be crucial. City will need to fill their homegrown quota in their Premier League and potential Champions League squad. So, based on the fact and on Wharton’s overall talent and potential, he is almost certainly a player Manchester City should target in the summer.

Summary.

When you look at Adam Wharton as a player you can see why Manchester City should move for the England international. He’s almost one of, if not the brightest young English prospecting in the game. His game looks to be ideally suited for playing in a Pep Guardiola side. With his homegrown status, the case for Manchester City moving for Wharton is almost insurmountable. In terms of adding another midfielder in the summer Manchester City could do a lot worse than adding the Crystal Palace midfielder in the summer. Whether or not City do is a story to watch for this summer as City’s rebuild continues.