Declan Rice: The Benchmark for Adam Wharton’s Goalscoring Evolution
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is being encouraged to emulate the goalscoring trajectory of Arsenal’s Declan Rice, with former Palace striker Clinton Morrison highlighting the England international as the ideal role model for the young playmaker. While Wharton has demonstrated considerable promise, a notable gap in his statistics – a lack of goals – has prompted discussion about how he can elevate his game to the next level.
Wharton’s Goal Drought and Potential
Despite showcasing an “all-action style of play and willingness to get forward,” Wharton hasn’t found the back of the net for Crystal Palace since January 20, 2024, when he scored in a Championship match for Blackburn against Huddersfield. This two-year drought has raised questions about his finishing ability, particularly given his attacking inclinations.
Morrison’s Assessment: “He Can’t Strike a Ball Properly”
Clinton Morrison, speaking to GOAL, was direct in his assessment of Wharton’s current limitations. “He can’t strike a ball properly. When I see him on the edge of the box, I never think he’s going to rocket one into the top corner. So that’s a thing – he’s going to have to add more goals to his game for sure.”
Declan Rice: A Model for All-Around Excellence
Morrison believes Declan Rice provides a compelling blueprint for Wharton’s development. “When you gaze at someone like Declan Rice, who’s got goals and covers the whole pitch – I realize they’re different footballers – but I think Adam Wharton needs to add more goals to his game.” He emphasized that Rice’s own goalscoring output wasn’t always prominent, particularly during his time at West Ham.
The Arsenal Effect and Future Trajectory
Morrison suggests that a move to a larger club, similar to Rice’s transfer to Arsenal, could unlock Wharton’s goalscoring potential. “Rice didn’t have a lot of goals, it’s not until he went to Arsenal that Declan took his game to a whole different level. That might happen to Adam Wharton when he leaves Palace, goes to a massive club and adds more goals. They might put him in a different position where he’s driving forward, creating more.”
Learning from the Best
The advice to Wharton extends beyond simply practicing shooting. Morrison advocates for Wharton to actively seek guidance from players like Rice while on international duty with England. “I think Declan’s the right benchmark. When he goes away with England, those are the sort of players he’s got to be speaking to.”
As of March 26, 2026, Declan Rice continues to be a prominent figure in the UEFA Champions League, with highlights of his free-kicks readily available.