Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton said the club’s mentality has changed significantly after winning three trophies in the last two years, with players, staff and supporters now believing the team can achieve more.
In an exclusive interview with The Assam Tribune, facilitated by JioStar, the 22-year-old England international said the club’s recent success had raised expectations around the team.
“Since I've joined, the biggest thing that's changed is the mentality. The fact that we've won three trophies in the last few years has shifted something within the club. The fans, players, and staff all believe we can go on and win more now, which wasn't really the mindset people had a few years ago,” Wharton said.
Palace won the 2024-25 FA Cup, the 2025 Community Shield and the 2025-26 UEFA Conference League, giving the club a significant run of success.
“It’s a great thing that we're thinking this way, and hopefully, we can continue that momentum,” Wharton said.
Wharton, who made his senior England debut in June 2024, also spoke about the popularity of the Premier League in India and its growing global following.
“It’s massive that there's such strong support for the Premier League in India. The UK is so small compared to the rest of the world, and a huge part of our fan base is global,” he said.
The midfielder said the presence of international supporters at Premier League stadiums showed the significance of the competition beyond England.
“When you see supporters travelling from all over the world to visit stadiums, you realise how much it means to them. That’s massive for us as players, too,” he said.
Wharton also offered advice to Indian youngsters aspiring to play in the Premier League, stressing the importance of speed of thought and quick decision-making in midfield.
“In the Premier League, the midfielders are very quick, and you don’t get a lot of time on the ball,” he said.
“One of the main things is being aware of everything around you and knowing what you’re going to do before the ball even comes to you. Whether that's checking your shoulder before receiving a pass or being able to play one- or two-touch football before your opponent can get tight and tackle you, awareness is key,” Wharton said.
On Palace’s start to the 2026-27 season, Wharton described it as mixed but said the recent results had brought positivity to the squad.
“The start to the 2026-27 season has been a mixed bag. We had a slow start in the first few matches and didn't get the results we wanted, but the last two games have been positive, yielding four points,” he said.
Palace earned a point away against Leeds United before securing a win over Nottingham Forest.
Wharton came through Blackburn Rovers’ academy and made his senior debut in August 2022 before joining Crystal Palace in February 2024 on a five-and-a-half-year deal.