England's Adam Wharton on Euro 2024 call up and opening game with Serbia
England's Adam Wharton on Euro 2024 call up and opening game with Serbia
Jana, Germany
Jana, Germany
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00:00Okay, good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to Blankenheim for this media conference with
00:13Adam Wharton.
00:14As ever, if we can keep it to three questions per person in the first round, and obviously
00:19at the end we'll have a very short section embargo until 10.30 p.m. UK time this evening.
00:24So, Rob, do you want to get us in the way?
00:31Adam, lovely to see you.
00:35Is that mic on?
00:39Can you hear that?
00:43Hello?
00:44Rob, do you want to give it a try?
00:48Ah, it's on now.
00:50Adam, lovely to see you.
00:52Thank you.
00:53First and foremost, huge congratulations.
00:55You made an awful lot of people smile when you got the call-up.
00:58How does it feel?
00:59You're at your first major tournament at the age of 20.
01:02That's extraordinary.
01:03Yeah, it's a surreal feeling.
01:07Honestly, I wasn't really expecting it.
01:11I've obviously only just gone into the Premier League, so I wasn't expecting anything.
01:17It was more just sort of a bonus kind of thing if I did get in.
01:21I'm absolutely delighted.
01:24I just get to do what I love at the top stage.
01:27I can't beat it.
01:29You only made your Under-21s debut in March, I think.
01:32It must feel a bit like a whirlwind having only made your Under-21s debut in March.
01:36Is it a pinch-me moment?
01:38Have you had to wake up one moment and think, how did I get here?
01:43I've been all right, to be honest.
01:46I don't really think about it too much.
01:48It's just more football for me.
01:50That's how I look at it.
01:53But, yeah, it's gone really fast.
01:56I've really enjoyed the last six months.
02:00I just want to keep playing football, getting better.
02:05So, yeah, absolutely delighted.
02:07Listen, you're the only member of the squad we're going to get to speak to at the moment.
02:10There's a big headline and a big concern about Jon Stones, who had that ankle injury,
02:14and now he's ill, hasn't been able to train.
02:16How is he?
02:18No idea.
02:20I've not seen him today, so I've just been told he's ill.
02:25So I think he's just in his room.
02:28So, yeah, I've not seen any of him today.
02:30Your opportunity might depend on one of those big names being ill, being injured, not being available.
02:36Is that a weird feeling, to feel so close to these guys and part of the team and yet thinking,
02:40yeah, but I want to play?
02:43I don't really look at it that way, for me.
02:48The manager picks the team.
02:51Obviously, there's some unbelievable players,
02:55and if I'm chosen to play, then I'm more than ready.
03:00But whoever's on the pitch, I'm sure they'll step up and perform
03:06and help the team get the result that we want.
03:13You made your professional debut 22 months ago.
03:16You were playing in the Championship in January.
03:18You made your Premier League debut in February, and now you're at a major tournament.
03:22So how would you sum up a pretty incredible two years?
03:27It's hard, really.
03:30It's just a dream come true, I think.
03:33Every kid who grows up playing football wants to play in the Premier League, play for the country.
03:40I got to play for the team that I supported to begin with.
03:46I really enjoyed that.
03:49It's just continued with that since moving to the Premier League and then now here.
03:56It's all been very fast, but I wouldn't want it any other way.
04:01You're one of a new group of really talented young players.
04:06I was just wondering, for yourself, does it feel like there's a new generation coming through?
04:14You could say that, but I think there's still some players that have been in the team for a long time.
04:25I think there's a mixture, which is always good.
04:29There's obviously some top young players in the team.
04:35I think it's good to have that little mix.
04:39I think if you're good enough, you're old enough.
04:43We've heard that you've shone in training.
04:46You made your debut and were impressive there as well.
04:49I was just wondering, what did Gareth Southgate say to you?
04:52What, after the game?
04:54After the game and when he told you you were going to be part of his 26.
04:58Just sort of congratulations, well done, on the prep camp.
05:05He just told me to keep going.
05:09That's all I can do, just try my hardest to impress throughout the week and when I get given the opportunity.
05:18Thanks.
05:19Adam, hi. Congratulations.
05:21After your debut, Gareth Southgate said that one of the reasons why he liked you
05:25is that you see the pictures early, you play forward quickly.
05:29Was there any particular player, whether at Blackburn or outside of Blackburn,
05:33that you looked at and learned from?
05:35Thank you.
05:36I wouldn't say one in particular.
05:40I watch quite a lot of football, obviously when it's on TV.
05:46I just enjoy watching football, the top games especially.
05:51I think I just pick up things from all the top players and just try to implement that in my game.
05:59There's not one in particular, but obviously there's a lot of good players that you see.
06:04If I can add little bits of their game to my game, then I'm going to try and do that to help improve myself.
06:12Hi Adam, congratulations.
06:14Thank you.
06:15Our commentary team on Talk Sport said that it was one of the most confident and assured England debuts they'd ever seen.
06:22Bearing in mind you said you didn't expect to get the call-up, how do you think that audition went?
06:29How did you feel?
06:31Yeah, I think I'd done well.
06:36What was it? 20, 30 minutes I think.
06:40For me it was just another football match.
06:45I've been playing football my whole life, so the way I look at it, it's another game.
06:50I try my best in every single game that I play, so I think I'd done alright.
06:56I never really look at my performances and think it's amazing because there's always certain bits that you can improve on.
07:06For me, I'm really happy to make my debut and perform the way I did.
07:12There's always room for improvement.
07:16What did you think you could have improved?
07:18Because it was a 100% past completion rate I think.
07:21Yeah, maybe just a couple of bits of positioning out of possession just a couple of times.
07:30Obviously it was only a short period of time, but just little bits.
07:35Small details, especially at this level, that make such a difference.
07:39Just positioning certain moments.
07:45I could have been in different positions.
07:47Maybe I passed it one way, but I could have maybe skipped a player to progress the ball faster.
07:56It's just the little things really.
07:58Just finally, Declan Rice was full of praise when I sat down and spoke to him as well for you.
08:04Have you managed to sit down and have a chat with him, bearing in mind you could potentially partner him in midfield?
08:10Yeah, I've spoke to Declan.
08:13He's a top player.
08:15You've seen that over the past few seasons, especially this season.
08:19The way that Arsenal play, I think, really has shown what he can produce this season.
08:27He's a top guy off the pitch as well.
08:30Speaking to him, just getting those little things, like I said.
08:35Everyone really, just learning off everyone.
08:39Especially him, obviously, similar positions.
08:41It's good to pick up on those little things and details.
08:46He's really welcomed me into the squad, definitely.
08:50What was his best nugget of advice for you?
08:54There's none in particular that springs to mind.
09:00Even if it's body positioning, when the ball's in a certain position.
09:08Or even bits of communication, stuff like that.
09:12It just helps you when you're on the pitch.
09:17When you're playing with them, the way they communicate as well makes it a lot easier for you.
09:23Cheers.
09:24Hi, Adam.
09:25Hi.
09:26A question regarding your coach at Bristol Palace.
09:29What makes Oliver Glasner so special for you?
09:32Can you compare him to Gareth Southgate?
09:35What part does Glasner play in the fact that four Palace players are nominated for the Euros?
09:42I think he's a top coach.
09:46I think you can see, since he's come in for the last part of the season,
09:50the way that we've played has changed.
09:53That's his way of playing.
09:55We've been getting the results to show for our performances.
10:00He's brought in a new way of playing, new formation.
10:05He makes sure every session is intense.
10:10If we're not intense enough, if we're not training to the right standard, he'll let us know.
10:18As players, that's what you want.
10:21You want training to be at a high standard.
10:23When you go into the games, then you can produce.
10:27I think he's been massive, especially for the four Palace lads.
10:32For us to get chosen, I think he's definitely helped.
10:36He's tactically very good.
10:40In training, we work on the tactical side quite a lot.
10:46It just makes it so much easier for you as players.
10:49When he tells you what he wants you to do, where he wants you to be.
10:52He's a top manager, for sure.
10:55Congratulations again.
10:58I just wondered what your family made of it when you told them you'd made the 26.
11:02Also, how important have they been in where you are today?
11:06I think they were probably happier than I was when they received the news.
11:13Especially my parents, they were over the moon.
11:16They were just delighted for me, I think.
11:20They were just proud of how far I've come, especially in such a short period of time.
11:28They all really enjoy watching the football as well, so that adds that a little bit more.
11:36Just really delighted.
11:42And they've been important to you in getting you to where you are?
11:45Yeah, massive.
11:48I've got two brothers that I grew up with, both older.
11:52Playing with them in the garden.
11:55Obviously they probably beat me up a few times in the garden.
11:59That all helps getting used to the physical side of the game and things like that.
12:06My dad's a massive football fan.
12:09He gives me loads of advice, even still now.
12:13Very sporty family.
12:16All very supportive.
12:19That definitely helped me growing up and getting into it.
12:26Then continuing to support me, even when I've not been playing.
12:34When I was in the youth set-up.
12:37Yeah, I don't think I'd be here without them, definitely.
12:41Is your dad's advice good advice?
12:44I'll say yeah, but sometimes no.
12:51Do we have any questions in the live section?
12:54Come back to Rob.
12:56You mentioned your dad there.
12:59He's described you as a bit of a loner.
13:02Is he right?
13:04How easy is it to fit in with Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden,
13:08these superstars that you're now training with and playing with?
13:12I think loner's a bit harsh.
13:15No.
13:18I don't have a million friends.
13:22I keep myself to myself.
13:25That's just how I've always been, really.
13:31It sort of works for me.
13:35I live on my own in London now.
13:39I'm not always out with my friends doing this and that.
13:44I think part of being a footballer, you can't go out on the weekends
13:49when you're growing up and things like this.
13:51There are sacrifices you have to make.
13:56I'm not a loner, but I'm not the most outgoing person you're ever going to meet.
14:05I'm not going to go into a room with people I don't know
14:08and just be very, very loud.
14:11I just keep myself to myself.
14:13The reason I ask is that you're clearly around some massive stars now.
14:17You've got to know them.
14:19Suddenly you're in an England squad with these huge names.
14:22Does that make it difficult?
14:25No, I think all the lads have made it very easy.
14:30They're all very welcoming, all happy to chat.
14:35That's definitely made it easy.
14:38We're all involved in football.
14:40There's plenty of things to talk about in that sense.
14:44I've spoken to a lot, probably all of the lads now.
14:50Not one of them has been difficult to speak to.
14:55They've made it very easy.