Palace's show of faith in fast-learner Wharton is already paying dividends

GIVEN Eberechi Eze was once a teen sensation himself, Adam Wharton should take it as a compliment that his Crystal Palace team-mate chuckled when he discovered his age.

- Dom Smith

After a prompt 8.45am arrival on his first day at Palace following his £22.5million January deadline-day move from Blackburn, Wharton was given a tour of the training ground.

"How old are you?", Eze asked. "Nineteen... but I'm 20 next week", Wharton replied as Eze smiled at his maturity beyond his years.

Wharton has taken everything in his stride since moving to Selhurst Park. And he has had to learn quickly.

He replaced the injured Marc Guehi for an impromptu debut in a 4-1 defeat by Brighton at the start of February, and his error led to the third goal.

But the shy midfielder has started all six Palace matches since, dictating the tempo for the team as though he has been around for years.