Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to build on the quality available in the middle of the park when the summer transfer window comes around, and one of the players that Daniel Levy has expressed keenness for is Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. And from what we have seen from him at Selhurst Park, he looks like a rare profile and surely with the traits that the North Londoners don’t possess in the current roster at Hotspur Way.
If we are describing Wharton, he is more of a deep midfielder who likes to control the tempo of the game with his movements and passes and is extremely intelligent in how he places himself to shield the backline (definitely something that the Lilywhites could use these days), and moreover, he likes to progress the ball when facing the pressure. He is not just a destroyer like Bissouma or a final third creator like James Maddison, but he is someone who controls that game from the heart of the pitch.
And given the tactical needs at N17, he fits like a mould. Let’s dive into those tactical needs:
Tactical Strength
He likes to progress the ball, especially under pressure, while finding a way behind opponents’ pressing lines (this is a trait that Ange Postecoglou would love to have in his midfield, given how he likes to vertically operate when in possession in the second phase). Wharton, as stated before, likes to control the tempo of the game, and he does so very intelligently – something that can come to use ideally in European competitions.
But in this midfield at Tottenham there has been a consistent need for someone who can defend given how Yves Bissouma is extremely inconsistent in those aspects while Sarr at times positionally gets outsmarted by his opponents. This is where Wharton comes in. He is excellent in screening his defensive line and protecting the central defenders while cutting the passing lanes.
And if we speak a bit tactically, he is someone who can naturally switch between phases of the game.
Adam also never panics when facing the press, and this is the mentality that Tottenham don’t possess in the midfield, maybe except Rodrigo Bentancur.
If Tottenham were to sign Adam Wharton, Ange Postecoglou or whoever is the manager at N17 will get a modern controller (#6/#8 hybrid) who is capable of not only going to sit on the base just surviving transitions but also helping dictate games against elite opposition with his passing and intelligence.
What could be his tactical role in the current system deployed at Tottenham?
So when in the buildup phase, he can drop between the centre-backs to not only give more width to the first phase but also help unlock progressing passes into the second phase vertically. Then he prints that control in the middle of the park, being a short passing option and reducing the risk of turnovers. And when in the final third, he will be an option to recycle possession, given how low-risk an option he is in those situations.
When facing transitions, he can anchor the midfield and protect Romero and Van de Ven. He also blocks entry into zone 14 spaces during transition, which risks sequences with high xG chances.
Wharton is someone who is adept at sticking to the basics. He does not overcomplicate possession — exactly the profile Tottenham need to win midfield battles against tactical chaos.
More Tottenham Hotspur News:
- TTLB Opinion: Is Postecoglou the reason behind Maddison’s underwhelming season at Tottenham?
- TTLB Opinion: Tottenham target Branthwaite and Guehi – but who makes more sense?
- TTLB Opinion: Should Tottenham be worried about Van de Ven to Real Madrid or is it all agent talks?
Author Opinion
Tottenham must try to prioritise signing Wharton given that he fits perfectly into the tactical identity of playing a possession-based and structured way of progressive football, given that he not only brings that defensive shielding ability but also brings that tempo control in the middle of the park. Moreover, he also aligns with the North Londoners’ broader squad-building policy of bringing in young and high-ceiling players who have high resale value.
