Three Lions x Four Eagles: Palace’s England careers so far

Club

6 Jun 2024

With FOUR Crystal Palace players named in the final England squad for the European Championships in Germany this summer, let’s take a look back at their England careers so far…

Former Palace captain, and current England manager, Gareth Southgate has named all four Palace players - Ebere Eze, Marc Guéhi, Dean Henderson and Adam Wharton - in his 26-player squad which will travel to Germany for the Euros.

Their final match against Iceland on Friday, 7th June (19:45 BST) will be last chance to take a look at the international Eagles, as they all push for a place in the starting XI in the tournament-proper who have impressed in their international careers so far.

Marc Guéhi

Guéhi started the victory against Bosnia & Herzegovina on Monday night, and produced a customarily classy performance to earn another clean sheet.

It made it 10 caps for his country, and his form in south London has seen him become one of Gareth Southgate’s trusted lieutenants in central defence alongside Harry Maguire and John Stones, both of whom are working towards full fitness before the beginning of the tournament.

He made his debut way back in March 2022, featuring in a 2-1 victory over Switzerland at Wembley.

Ebere Eze

After a heartbreaking delay to his England career – Eze sustained a serious injury on the day he was first called up to the squad by Gareth Southgate – the Palace No. 10 has been making up for lost time, earning three caps since his debut in a 4-0 win over Malta.

He impressed once again in his first start against Bosnia & Herzegovina, dancing past defenders in the way those at Selhurst Park have become accustomed to seeing for a number of years.

“Ebere has got lovely movement to go past players – he’s got power,” Southgate said after the match.

“I’m just grateful to God to have this opportunity,” said Eze. “I tried to express myself and to enjoy it.

“I feel like that has been my mindset: to keep going with momentum and keep enjoying my football.”

Adam Wharton

Wharton made his debut against Bosnia & Herzegovina, and set a record for his ability on the ball as he remained totally unfazed by his rapid rise to the top.

"He's an incredible player to play with,” said Palace and England teammate Eze. "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."

Southgate was just as glowing in his analysis.

"Adam Wharton showed what he has been doing at the end of the season and in training," Southgate explained.

I like what he's done with us in the first few days. He sees pictures early and can play forward. It is very early for him but lovely that he looked as comfortable as he did.

"It’s a big step up from where he was at the beginning of the season but I like the fact he sees pictures early, he plays forward.

“Obviously he’s got quality on the ball but it’s the ability to receive and play the ball forward that’s really caught our eye.”

Dean Henderson

Henderson is back in the England squad after injury misfortunate subsided, finishing the season strongly between the sticks in south London.

His England debut came back in 2020, replacing Nick Pope at half-time in a 3-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland.

He was part of England’s squad for the last European Championships in 2021, as the Three Lions came within a whisker of claiming silverware for the first time since 1966.

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