Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has no complaints about his surprise England omission and plans to use his some of his unexpected free time to visit grandparents.
Instead of being at Wembley to face Wales and then heading to Latvia for a World Cup qualifier the 21-year-old, who has become an integral part of the Eagles’ recent success, will instead catch up with relatives after being left out by national team boss by Thomas Tuchel.
Even Everton’s match-winner Jack Grealish, himself overlooked for England despite a resurgence after moving to Merseyside on loan from Manchester City, felt Wharton should have been given the man-of-the-match award instead of him in the Toffees’ late 2-1 victory on Sunday.
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Wharton reveals Tuchel message
After pulling out of Tuchel’s last squad with injury there was no place for Wharton this time around but the player insists there are no hard feelings.
“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,” said Wharton of learning of his omission.
“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.
“Nothing is expected. 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.
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“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 do 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.”
Even Everton manager David Moyes accepted Palace should have been well out of sight after Daniel Munoz’s goal in a first half dominated by the visitors but after failing to capitalise they fell foul of an improved display after the break.
Iliman Ndiaye scored a 76th-minute penalty before Grealish, the Premier League’s player of the month for August, blocked a Munoz clearance and the ball cannoned back off him and into the net in the third minute of added time to end Palace’s 19-match unbeaten run.
“I think we got a bit complacent as we were playing so well but you can’t do that in the Premier League,” added Wharton
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“They got a goal back and the crowd got behind them, a great atmosphere for them to kick on, get the momentum and it was difficult from there.”