The Palace team isn't set up around him as far as I'm concerned. He's a player that has got in very well to the system they play. We don't know if he could be a good dictator in the middle of the pitch, because tactically, that's not how palace play. They look to move the ball quickly, often through his ability to play very clever passes and the ability to hit runners.
I have no doubt that he'd be a great fit in a more possession based system, his passing is great, his close control is great, his awareness is great.
Against us, when they did have plenty of the ball, he was unbelievable, our midfielders couldn't get a foot in. Him and Anderson are about as sure things as you can get as far as I'm concerned. Cracking player.
Maybe we're speaking to the same point
In that 343, whenever Ive seen them, he's basically sat in that 6ish position, hes moving around the centre of the pitch (pretty small area generally) and hes just moving the ball
He does it wonderfully, I dont doubt his talent at all, but...
Where I say "set up for him" I mean - he is accomodated to the extent he really only needs to worry about doing the bit he is good at
He doesnt contribute that much to defence at all, he has a midfield partner taking that responsibility (and effectively a back 5 behind him too)
In attack he isnt supporting in person so much, there are 2 x 10s and a striker doing all the running, its his role to just get the ball too them
And of course, considering they are fundamentally a counter attacking team - he has space to pass into more often than not
I have real concerns about him in a more possession based team. While of course he has the passing ability to look amazing at times, I question if he has the all round game and mobility to not get completely lost or being an issue in the side that needs accomodating.
Looking at RDZs prior set ups, its generally a double pivot that are both mobile, both capable, and both get up and down the pitch - Im just not confident Wharton is that sort of player...
Id say the same if you think about other teams. I cant imagine him in a Liverpool side, or Woolwich,
maybe City given their dominance of possession, I couldnt see him at Bournemouth even - not with their set up.
