Revealed: Thomas Tuchel's text message to Adam Wharton after he snubbed him for England AGAIN

Adam Wharton has revealed exactly what Thomas Tuchel told him via text message after the Crystal Palace midfielder was once again snubbed from England selection.

The 21-year-old has just one England cap - he came off the bench in a 3-0 friendly win against Bosnia & Herzegovina in June 2024 - but as one of the most in-form midfielders in the Premier League so far this season there was a great deal of expectation that he would break into Tuchel's squad.

Tuchel decided to leave Wharton out along with others such as Jack Grealish, who wanted to hand his man of the match award on Sunday to Wharton, and the Crystal Palace midfielder said that he can't 'cry about it'.

'He just gave me a message saying I'm playing well, I'm close and I deserve to be there but he's going to stick with the same team,' Wharton said of his message from Tuchel.

'That's football, I'm not too fussed about that. I can take the time off, go see my grandparents, and it's not the end of the world as there's another camp next month.

'I'm just focusing on Crystal Palace and playing well and hopefully if I play well I'll get the call.'

There is plenty of competition for midfield spots in Tuchel's squad with Nottingham Forest pair Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White involved this time, as is Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan), Declan Rice (Arsenal), and Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa).

Wharton is not one to worry about what the future holds, though, and is adamant that if he continues to thrive at Palace the England recognition should follow.

'It's nice to hear [what Tuchel said] but I think my focus is on Palace and if that goes well then England is just a bonus,' he said.

'Nothing is expected. England have some top players and he's got a lot of players to choose from.

'No matter who he picks someone is not going to get in and there will be a fuss about it.

'I can't sit here and cry about it, this is football and I'm happy playing for Palace and getting minutes and trying to do as well as I can and improve and if I get picked I get picked. If not I'll carry on playing for Palace and enjoying it – there's nothing else I can do really.'

Palace saw their 19-game unbeaten run brought to an abrupt end on Sunday with Grealish scoring a 93rd-minute winner for Everton to beat Oliver Glasner's side 2-1.

Glasner's team remain a real threat to the top five and Champions League football this season and while missing out on the last two England camps is a blow, Wharton believes a strong season with Palace can significantly enhance his odds of being on the plane to the US next summer.

'Hopefully. Obviously everyone wants to play for their country if they get chosen but, like I said, this is football and he's got plenty of top players to choose from and that's what he gets paid to do, pick the team and help England go well,' he concluded.

'Hopefully they kick on and get the results they need to qualify for the World Cup. 

'I'll keep knocking on the door and if I'm in, I'm in and if not I'll carry on.'