Adam Wharton is barely recognisable in a throwback snap of his old cricket team which has been doing the rounds on social media.
The 20-year-old midfielder lit up the Premier League in the second half of the season, shining for Crystal Palace after arriving from Blackburn Rovers on a five-year deal in the winter transfer window. A product of the youth ranks at Ewood Park, Wharton notched two goals and three assists in last season's Championship campaign under manager John Dahl Tomasson before topping up that assist count by another three not long after arriving at Selhurst Park.
His noteworthy performances certainly caught the eye of England manager Gareth Southgate, who selected him to join the national squad before granting him his first taste of international football with England's senior side. His debut came during England's 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, played at St James' Park earlier this month.
READ MORE: Man City make Adam Wharton transfer ‘decision’ after England Euro 2024 selection
READ MORE: Man City star Bernardo Silva fires Joao Neves transfer plea
Southgate subsequently chose Wharton as part of his Euro 2024 squad for the tournament in Germany. England's first match sees them pitted against Serbia this Sunday (June 16). Touching on Wharton's skills, Southgate noted last week: "We are really pleased with what he has done.
"It is, in terms of the importance of catching the eye, I guess a lot of that comes down to where we think we will need the positional cover, really but really impressed with how he has been. He is a very calm boy, he seems to have taken everything in his stride when you think of what the last year has been but when you talk to him, he is just pretty unflappable as he was on the pitch.
"That ability to receive and see a picture early isn't something you should underestimate." However, before making the move to football, Wharton was an avid cricketer playing at an elite club in his youth, reports the Mirror.
A photo has been going viral on social media this week, showing Wharton as part of a Lancashire Under-10s side from 2014, with the now-midfield maestro totally unrecognisable in the snap. Taking to the Lancashire County Cricket Club Facebook group, member John A Williams shared the photograph as he wrote: "From 10 years ago. Spot the England Footballer amongst a handful of young lads now making their way in County Cricket. The pathway works."
The photograph showed Wharton at the ESCA Under 10 County Cricket Festival at King's College, Taunton and was dated 2014. Alongside him were his coaches; Steve and Matt Critchley, as well as a number of names who are currently making waves in the world of cricket including Lancs stars Joshua Boyden and Matthew Hurst, who was captain of the U10 team at the time.
Fans of Wharton immediately flooded the post with messages of support, praising Wharton's successful transition. One fan wrote: "Wharton!! What a talent!" While another put: "Well done Adam!"
Sign up to get even more from our Man City coverage
We want your views, Blues. You can become even more involved with our Man City coverage by signing up. This will unlock a whole host of things - including joining the comments and taking part in our special Q&As, where you can speak directly to our reporters about what’s happening at the Etihad Stadium this week and beyond.
