Adam Wharton says he could replace Kalvin Phillips in Gareth Southgate’s England midfield at Euro 2024.
Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold started both of England’s group games in midfield but Southgate admitted it was an “experiment”.
Wharton, who joined Crystal Palace from Championship side Blackburn on February 1, is one of the possible candidates to replace Declan Rice.
“I’m of the belief that no matter who you are, where you are or when you’re playing football, you can have an impact on the game, so you have to think like that,” the 20-year-old said.
“If I don’t think I can handle this, then what the hell am I doing here? Right now, I’m just looking at it and being ready in case I’m called upon to help because I believe I can impact every game I play in.”
Phillips started every game as England reached the Euro 2020 final and was named England’s Player of the Year that season.
However, after moving from Leeds to Manchester City in 2022, he struggled to play for the first team and then a poor loan spell at West Ham saw him left out of the England squad.
“There is no one more suitable to replace Kalvin Phillips,” Southgate said after Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Denmark in Frankfurt.
“If you look at the last Euros, Calvin was one of England’s best players and we got to the final,” said former Blackburn midfielder Wharton, who has played just 28 minutes for England so far.
“I think if a player like that was playing in this tournament, I would say the same thing.
“It’s hard to say because I haven’t seen much of him the last few seasons, but there may be similarities in where we play and certain traits, but obviously there will be things where he’s better than me and I’m better than him.”
England face Slovenia on Tuesday (8pm BST) as they aim to top Group C ahead of the knockout stages.
