Crystal Palace

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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In January, Adam Wharton was playing in a Blackburn Rovers side struggling in the Championship. Five months later, the 20-year-old is heading to Euro 2024 after being included in Gareth Southgate's 26-man England squad for the tournament in Germany.

Wharton signed for Crystal Palace from Blackburn for £18m, with add-ons taking it to £22m, on 1 February this year.

The transfer deadline day recruit had a difficult first game. Introduced as a substitute against Palace's rivals Brighton, the ball was taken from him in move that led to the Seagulls taking a 3-0 lead. The match ended 4-1.

However, since that game, Wharton has gone from strength to strength and started the past 15 matches, picking up three assists and becoming a key part in Oliver Glasner's new 3-4-3 formation.

He made his debut for the England Under-21 side in March after initially being called up to the England Under-20s and now, after an impressive senior debut against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday, the midfielder has earned himself a place on the plane to Euro 2024.

Read more on England's Euros "bolter"

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The 2023-24 Premier League season may have only just finished but there is only 10 weeks until the 2024-25 season is scheduled to start.

So what are the key dates that you need to know?

When does the season start and finish?

The 2024-25 Premier League campaign will get under way during the weekend of 17-18 August.

It will take place over 33 weekends, with four midweek rounds and one Bank Holiday matchweek.

To allow for a mid-August start, there will not be a 'winter break' this time around. However, to avoid Christmas and New Year fixture congestion, the league will give more rest time to sides over three of the festive match rounds, with no club playing within 60 hours of another match.

The final round of fixtures will be played on Sunday, 25 May 2025, with all games to kick off at the same time.

When are the fixtures released?

09:00 BST on Tuesday, 18 June.

We will have all the details here for your club as soon as the fixtures are released.

Sign up for news notifications to find out all the key fixtures

When does the transfer window open and close?

The summer window will officially open on Friday, 14 June, which also happens to be the start of Euro 2024, and will remain open until Friday, 30 August at 23:00 BST.

Transfer deadline day has been brought forward this year to be in line with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

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Crystal Palace deserve "huge credit" for their recruitment after four players are selected for England's Euro 2024 squad.

With confirmation on Thursday of the Three Lions' 26-man squad that will be travelling to Germany for the European Championship, the Eagles have the most players of all the Premier League clubs to make Gareth Southgate's final selection.

One surprise inclusion was midfielder Adam Wharton, who only joined Palace in January having moved from Championship side Blackburn Rovers.

"It will be interesting to see how much involvement he [Wharton] has in the group stage," said football writer and broadcaster Henry Winter on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"When England are likely to be up against two or three teams that play with a low block and that pass forwards to a Kane or to a Foden if he is drifting in off the left, or Bukayo Saka on the right, that will be so important.

"But even if he is one for the future he is an absolutely huge prospect."

Following the omission on Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire, who has struggled with fitness, Palace defender Marc Guehi is now expected to partner John Stones in the Three Lions' defence.

"Marc Guhei is terrific. He made one mistake on Monday night but he is a leader," added Winter. "He has done well at Palace, he is still young and he always, always has been so respected at Palace because of his character.

"He is one of these good citizens, these good people that Southgate keeps mentioning. So absolutely he will step in there for England.

"Huge credit to Crystal Palace and Dougie Freedman and his recruitment because they have got four players in the squad. It is the most of all the clubs so it is a fantastic nod of respect to Palace."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Adam Wharton's dad John has been speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire about his son's England debut against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday:

"It was a great experience, I got quite emotional when he came on and it was a great day all-round. Things are just happening so fast.

"We saw Adam after the match, he gave his shirt to his brother. He's loved this last few days with the team, he's sat next to Harry Kane for breakfast and been talking to Declan Rice. He seems a happy chap at the moment.

"He's quite a loner, Adam. He's been down at the academy since the age of six and his friends are his football friends. He's very quiet, he doesn't give a lot away. I think he's the most clever of my sons. He's always been very laid back. We've always said if he was any more laid back, he'd fall over!

On how his son has handled moving from his hometown to South London: "He's taken it all in his stride. It's been better that what we thought. He's settled in well, he's in a lovely place.

"It's a great atmosphere [at Selhurst Park] and all of his team mates have welcomed him and he gets on well with everybody. He's definitely enjoying it."

Listen to the full interview with Wharton's dad here, external

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Declan Rice believes the "future is looking bright" for England in terms of competition for places in the centre of midfield.

Arsenal's Rice has been named in England's Euro 2024 alongside Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo and Crystal Palace's 20-year-old midfielder Adam Wharton.

Rice said: "I think we have seen in the last camp, against Belgium and Brazil, what Kobbie could do. Obviously in the last six months - and all season really - what he has done at Manchester United, he fully deserves his place in the squad.

"Adam played his first half of the season in the Championship, but he has come from Crystal Palace now. He has been outstanding and I think in training he has impressed a lot of the players.

"He is so composed and calm on the ball. He has got a beautiful left foot, crisp passing, and is all-round just a really down-to-earth boy who wants to learn. He is still only 20 but to be on the plane to go to his first European Championships, what a moment for him and his family.

"I know he is one who won't take it for granted. He will be ready when called upon. I think you could see the other night how composed he is and he is ready for the big stage.

"They are two great additions. The future is looking bright for England’s midfield."

We asked for you for your thoughts on what Crystal Palace's summer priority is.

Here is a selection of your responses:

MK: All we need for a successful summer is to get our existing talent on better contracts and avoid injuries over the summer. The existing squad when fit is good enough to challenge for Europe.

Tresbon: Sorting out the Main Stand. It's 101 years old. Then think about keeping the 'Crown Jewels'.

Ian: To keep our holy trinity of Olise, Eze, and Mateta whatever it takes. And Wharton.

Steve: Don't let the success of the last 10 games of 2023-24 season slip through the fingers like the previous season. Keeping Eze and Wharton is crucial. Let Olise go if his mind is elsewhere, but make sure we are properly compensated. Palace can be a top-six team, if the club don't allow the so-called elite clubs to pilfer the talent at the club.

Liam: There is only one transfer priority for us - hang onto Eze, Olise and Freedman. If we do that we can definitely get Europe next season and maybe a cup run?

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When you look at Daichi Kamada's career path, it seems a move to Selhurst Park is written in the stars.

Sagan Tosu, Eintracht Frankfurt, Sint Truiden, Lazio and the Japanese national team. What do all of these teams have in common? They have a bird on their club badge.

The 27-year-old is now heavily linked with the Eagles as he comes to the end of his Lazio contract.

The move will allow the midfielder to carry on this bird-loving tradition. A coincidence? Or is Kamada a keen bird-watcher?

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Crystal Palace full-back Nathaniel Clyne has signed a new one-year contract with the Premier League club.

Clyne, 33, is in his second spell with Palace, having begun his career at Selhurst Park, and played 23 times in all competitions for Palace last season.

Meanwhile, Palace have confirmed that fellow full-back Nathan Ferguson will leave the club when his contract expires this summer.

Ferguson struggled with injuries following his move from West Bromwich Albion in 2020 and was limited to one substitute appearance for the Eagles in the Premier League.

Last month, Palace announced that centre-back James Tomkins and midfielder Jairo Riedewald would also be leaving when their contracts come to an end.

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Adam Wharton completed all 36 of his passes on his England debut against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday.

He is the only midfielder to attempt 30 or more passes on his debut for the Three Lions and have a 100% accuracy since Opta has detailed passing data (August 2008 onwards).

Eberechi Eze is a "maverick" and should be going to Euro 2024, says former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison.

Speaking to The Football News Show about Eze's place in Gareth Southgate's squad, Morrison said: "He should name him straight away, he's so talented."

Watch The Football News Show here

The club summer is off and running, so what's the first thing that needs sorting out at Crystal Palace?

Is it a contract, a transfer, a fan issue or something else?

Tell us here, external

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Adam Wharton's impressive England debut has drawn praise from his manager, pundits and team-mates alike.

The Crystal Palace midfielder - who only joined the Eagles from Championship Blackburn during the January transfer window - played the last half an hour in the 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia-Herzegovina at St James' Park.

England manager Gareth Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live: "He played as he's trained, he receives well, he's very composed, he plays forward.

"That sounds simple but it's not a simple thing to do. He plays a lot of one-touch football, he sees a picture when the ball arrives to him. He's had a really good few days with us."

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman added: "It's the fact he played with such confidence in such a crucial area of the pitch.

"It's so vital somebody plays the ball to our attackers as quickly as possible and giving them the ball in those dangerous pockets. I think one of the reasons Eberechi Eze has looked so good for Crystal Palace this season is because Wharton has been getting him the ball a lot sooner.

"If you've got someone who isn't just thinking about keeping the ball and buying the extra pass, they're actually thinking about the plan, they can see the vision, they're playing it round the corner to get it into those players, we're going to be a lot more effective in that final third."

Three of Wharton's team-mates are also in Southgate's provisional Euro 2024 squad. Eberechi Eze made his first England start on Monday and was full of praise for Wharton, adding: "He's an incredible player to play with.

"Playing with him at Palace, I've got used to seeing the way he plays and understanding him. He's very calm, composed, and a joy to play with.

"For someone so young, he's very mature and very wise. When you speak to him, it feels like you're speaking to someone older than you, that's the type of person he is. He's an incredible player."

Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

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Eberechi Eze played with the "freedom and swagger" he shows for Crystal Palace on his first England start, said Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

After an excellent season with the Eagles, Eze featured for an hour against Bosnia-Herzegovina at St James' Park and impressed with his ball-carrying ability and close control.

"I was really pleased, he played with that freedom and swagger he plays for his club with," Southgate said post-match.

"It's great to see a young player come into our environment and do that. We saw that ability to glide past people in the middle of the pitch and the power that he has as well."

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman added: "Eze is unique in the fact he can glide with ball and beat four, five, six men at a time. There's not an awful lot of players who can do that and he does it with such grace. It's so good to watch.

"He's got so much individual talent and those are the players you need to unlock the door at times."

Eze, 25, will now hope he has done enough to force his way into Southgate's final Euro 2024 squad but insisted he is just focusing on enjoying the experience.

"I tried to express myself, enjoy playing football and enjoy this chance I got," he said. "That was the main thing when I found out I was starting, just to enjoy it and not stress. This is why I play football.

"I feel like my mindset has been to just continue the momentum I have with Palace and keep enjoying my football. It's a great opportunity.

"It's a huge blessing, I'm so grateful. After that I leave it to God, try not to stress too much, and be at peace with what will be."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Arsenal will reluctantly let England international Eddie Nketiah leave the club, with Fulham prepared to offer around £30m for the forward. The 25-year-old is also interesting Crystal Palace, Everton and Wolves. (Sun), external

Sunderland are determined not to sell 18-year-old England youth international Jobe Bellingham, with Crystal Palace, Brentford and Tottenham all keen on the midfielder. (Guardian), external

Burnley have made contact with former Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew, 62, as they start their search for a permanent successor to Vincent Kompany. (Sun), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Crystal Palace duo Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise have both been picked in France’s provisional Olympic squad.

Mateta would be one of three overage players in Thierry Henry's squad.

The 26-year-old scored an impressive 16 Premier League goals last season, but he has never won a senior international cap.

Olise has been a regular at under-21 level.

The Olympic tournament runs from 24 July, with the football final due to take place at the Parc des Princes on 9 August.

Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has met with Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman in London to explore their position on the possibility of selling England defender Marc Guehi, England midfielder Eberechi Eze and France Under-21 winger Michael Olise this summer. (Football Insider), external

Crystal Palace will move for 22-year-old Leeds United and Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, if they have to sell Olise or Eze this summer. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Chelsea and Albania forward Armando Broja is wanted by Crystal Palace, Everton and Wolves. (Ben Jacobs on X), external

Crystal Palace are in talks with Sunderland over a deal for 18-year-old English forward Jobe Bellingham, who can also play in midfield. (Standard), external

However, Brentford are also interested in Bellingham. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Crystal Palace and Aston Villa are eyeing a move for Gent's 22-year-old defender Archie Brown. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Crystal Palace are interested in Norwich midfielder Gabriel Sara.

The 24-year-old scored 13 goals and got 12 assists as Norwich finished in sixth place in the Championship before they were knocked out of the play-offs.

It’s understood that no talks have taken place and that Sara is one of a number of players on a shortlist that Palace are tracking this summer.

The Eagles have been active in the transfer market and are getting close to completing a deal for Real Betis defender Chadi Riad.

The 20-year-old is set to undergo a medical on Wednesday or Thursday of this week ahead of a deal worth up to £14m.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Barcelona defender Chadi Riad will have a medical on Wednesday or Thursday before a move to Crystal Palace for £12m plus £2m in add-ons.

The 20-year-old joined Real Betis on loan from Barcelona last summer and made 30 appearances in 2023-24.

Riad has won two caps for Morocco, with the centre-back most recently featuring in a goalless draw against Mauritania in March.

Crystal Palace part-owner John Textor is stepping up his bid to buy Everton, with a proposed purchase by US-based investment group 777 Partners unlikely to go ahead. (Sky Sports, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column