Wharton steals the show with MOTM display as Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano | OneFootball

Crystal Palace secured a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano to lift the Europa Conference League title, following a brilliant, organised performance by the Eagles.

Palace took the lead through Jean-Philippe Mateta and defended it brilliantly until the end to claim a third trophy in the past year.

Oliver Glasner signs off as a Crystal Palace great, and many players also immortalised themselves in the club’s history.

Palace talisman Mateta certainly did so, and so did man of the match Adam Wharton.

The midfielder put in a boss performance for the Eagles and earned an 8/10 rating for his display.

Wharton ran the game with his progressive passing and carries, recording two key passes and one big chance created.

He won 5/10 of his duels and completed his one attempted dribble.

Even Mateta’s goal came from his shot, which the goalkeeper spilt. He missed the FA Cup win at the end of last season and made up for it with an extraordinary performance.

He was rightly given the man-of-the-match honour, another feather to the 22-year-old’s cap.

Yet somehow, Thomas Tuchel looked at all of this and decided Wharton was not worth taking to the World Cup this summer.

It is a baffling decision that already looks destined to age terribly. England have no shortage of runners, athletes, or midfielders who can play safe, sideways football.

What they lack is a player capable of dictating the rhythm of matches and unlocking stubborn defences with one disguised pass or clever turn under pressure.

Wharton does exactly that. The Palace star sees pictures before everyone else, manipulates space effortlessly, and gives his side complete control in possession.

Yes, he is not the quickest or most explosive midfielder physically, but football at the highest level is still won with intelligence and technical quality.

England are crying out for composure and creativity in midfield, especially against deep defensive blocks. The Palace man creates big chances at will.

Leaving Wharton at home after a season like this is a complete waste of one of the country’s most gifted young footballers.