Crystal Palace
Palace to Block January Exit for Adam Wharton as Clubs Wait for Summer Move
Crystal Palace will resist January offers for Adam Wharton; clubs to wait until summer 2025. Summer.
Crystal Palace are not expected to let Adam Wharton leave during the January transfer window, a decision that will frustrate interest from Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid. The 21-year-old has already been earmarked for a bigger stage, much like Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze before him, but Palace appear set to hold firm for now.
Of the clubs most heavily linked, Manchester United are portrayed as the most in need of fresh midfield energy after focusing on forwards last summer. Central midfield is described in need of reinforcement, with Ruben Amorim lacking the right profile of player to hold together a two-man partnership. It has been Bruno Fernandes, better as a No. 10, and an ageing Casemiro who have typically got the nod so far this season. Amorim doesn’t appear convinced by Kobbie Mainoo in the role, while Manuel Ugarte has not yet rediscovered what he did so well for Amorim at Sporting CP.
If United are serious about Wharton—rumour has it they would rather now pursue him than alternative target Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion—patience will be required.
Liverpool are another club linked, lacking central midfield depth behind Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, the latter of whom has also had to fill in deeper due to a centre back crisis. Real Madrid are also named among interested parties and remain without a direct replacement for either Toni Kroos or Luka Modrić.
Fabrizio Romano reported via his Here We Go Podcast that Palace “have no intention to negotiate” a sale midway through the season. The summer could be a different story, but only after the World Cup, for which Wharton is hoping to be called up by England after previously going to Euro 2024. At that point Palace are expected to “assess the situation” on a case-by-case basis depending on any offers that may come in. There is, however, no desire to actively try and sell Wharton simply to cash in.
During a recent radio appearance, Palace chairman Steve Parish was specifically asked about rumoured United interest. “If Manchester United want Adam Wharton, that’s nothing surprising really about that,” he said. “The fact of the matter is he’s got a long contract to run. There’s no pressure on us to do it, and I don’t think there’s any real pressure from the player either.”
That contract, signed when Wharton first joined the club, is good until the end of 2028–29. Wharton was the recipient of glowing endorsement from Palace teammate Yeremy Pino this week, claiming that the midfield star has all the technical ability to command a place in the Spain national team—were he actually eligible, of course. That review suggests Wharton is on a level with the likes of Rodri—the Ballon d’Or winner in 2024 and former teammate of Pino at Villarreal—Pedri, Fabián Ruiz and Martín Zubimendi.
Arsenal
Arsenal v Crystal Palace: Match Preview, Team News and Likely XIs
Arsenal host Crystal Palace at the Emirates: team news, injury updates and predicted lineups. Sunday
Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday when Crystal Palace visit the Emirates. The Gunners arrive off a 4–0 victory over Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, their sixth successive win and a continuation of a perfect start in the Champions League. Arsenal sit top of the table and boast the league’s stoutest defence, but Manchester City could move to within a point before the weekend fixtures kick off.
Crystal Palace come into the game on the back of cup success and a long unbeaten run that peaked at 18 matches. Palace have since lifted the FA Cup and the Community Shield, but they are now winless in three across all competitions after a home defeat to AEK Larnaca in the Conference League on Thursday.
Team news is significant for the hosts. Arteta confirmed on Friday that the defender hasn’t been able to train since picking up an injury against Atléti. If Gabriel is not risked, Cristhian Mosquera is ready to step in and partner William Saliba. Piero Hincapié may also be considered, though he has appeared just once since joining on deadline day. Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard are likely to be recalled, while Eberechi Eze should retain his place. Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Ødegaard remain out.
Palace face a quick turnaround after Thursday and will rotate accordingly. Chris Richards and Adam Wharton are certainties to return, with Wharton having only come off the bench on Thursday. Eddie Nketiah could start against his former club, potentially alongside Jean-Philippe Mateta, with Yeremy Pino the most likely to make way. Injured pair Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad have yet to feature this season.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi; Muñoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Nketiah; Mateta.
Broadcast details: United States (Peacock, Amazon Prime Video); United Kingdom (Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, Sky Sports Premier League); Canada (DAZN Canada, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video); Mexico (Caliente TV, Amazon Prime Video).
Arsenal
Eberechi Eze reveals decision behind Arsenal move
Eberechi Eze says he was ready to join Spurs before Arsenal’s late bid sealed his move in detail…
Eberechi Eze has outlined how a late approach from Arsenal changed the course of his summer. Spurs appeared to be leading negotiations in mid-August after James Maddison suffered a serious knee injury and the accepted departure of Son Heung-min led Tottenham to seek a new creative outlet. Talks were held, personal terms had been accepted and Crystal Palace were reportedly content with a £55 million ($73.2 million) fee on the table.
Speaking during a return to his former secondary school, Eze acknowledged the strength of Tottenham’s position. “I was prepared to go to Tottenham,” Eze admitted, as quoted by The Athletic, “but from the moment Arsenal came, it was always going to be them.”
Those Arsenal discussions were not brand new. Eze had a meeting with Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta several weeks before Tottenham formalised their interest, informing his boyhood club he was eager to return to the Emirates. The Gunners had been weighing options that included Morgan Gibbs-White and Morgan Rogers before Eze intervened.
On the day he was due to sign for Spurs, the 27-year-old rang Arteta to check whether a move to Arsenal remained possible. When a £67.5 million deal was later completed, the Spanish manager reflected, “That shows you how much he wanted to come,” underlining the forward momentum behind the transfer.
Adjustment to Arsenal has presented challenges. Eze arrived from a Crystal Palace side built to sweep forward on the break and has yet to replicate his previous creative output. Across seven Premier League appearances for Arsenal this season, he has created just two chances from open play, fewer than seven of his teammates.
Crystal Palace travel to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon with a compact shape that is likely to limit the space Eze enjoyed at Selhurst Park, but Arteta remains confident the midfielder can make an impact on what promises to be a “special” occasion.
Arsenal
Ranking the Premier League’s Current Top 15 Defenders
A concise look at the Premier League’s current defensive elite and what defines each player in 2025
The Premier League places constant demand on defenders, and only a handful sustain the form and influence that mark the league’s elite. This piece presents a concise assessment of the current top 15 defenders based solely on the traits and milestones noted in the original draft.
Pedro Porro remains one of the most attack-minded full backs, excelling down Tottenham Hotspur’s right flank with an excellent eye for a pass and growing leadership responsibilities under Thomas Frank. Micky van de Ven returned to full fitness after missing a large chunk of last season to injury; his recovery pace, composure on the ball and strength in the tackle make him a standout central option.
Reece James has endured lengthy injury battles but, when fit, offers a sensational two-way athleticism capable of locking up attackers and delivering dangerous crosses; he is comfortable in central defence and in more advanced midfield roles. Murillo, following his 2023 move to Nottingham Forest, combined relentless defending with a willingness to drive from the back and play line-breaking passes, prompting expensive links to Europe’s elite.
Tino Livramento demonstrated his potential after bouncing back from a devastating injury, contributing both in attack and defensively for Newcastle United. Daniel Muñoz, signed by Crystal Palace in January 2024, is praised for elite athleticism and devastating bursts down the right wing.
Cristian Romero blends composed defending with aggressive intensity, backed by experience that includes World Cup and Copa América wins plus the 2024–25 Europa League. Ibrahima Konaté developed through French and German football and now anchors Liverpool with added intelligent positioning and movement to complement his physical attributes.
Marc Cucurella’s route from Barcelona’s academy through Getafe and Brighton & Hove Albion has led to a revival at Chelsea under Enzo Maresca, often deployed in an inverted role. Jurrien Timber overcame a devastating ACL injury suffered 50 minutes into his Premier League debut and has returned to provide versatile defensive cover for Arsenal, reflecting his Ajax education.
Marc Guéhi pairs aerial presence and defensive basics with uncommon composure on the ball and remains Crystal Palace’s captain as his contract situation draws attention. Rúben Dias, a standout in 2020–21, remains a Manchester City mainstay with four Premier League title spines to his name. Gabriel’s understated aggression and set-piece threat have made him indispensable at Arsenal, while Virgil van Dijk’s wider reputation endures despite a less favourable 2025–26 campaign.
