Darragh Tuffy, who coached Wharton as a youth player at Blackburn, told SunSport: "All through his age groups he had this weird ability to never be fazed by anything.

"I watch him in the Premier League now and he is playing passes he used to do in training. He looks in total control, the calmest man on the pitch."

Wharton's creative ability in midfield and eye for a pass has blown Palace fans, as well as Roy Hodgson and now new boss Oliver Glasner away.

Past coaches say the trait stood out before he was ten and was much-needed as he was one of the smallest players on the pitch.

Wharton's nonchalant style had teachers at Moorland, the private school where Blackburn send players, comparing him to Glenn Hoddle and Chris Waddle, before he earned the nickname "Messi".

Charlie Jackson, who taught Wharton at Moorland having worked with Man Utd's Scott McTominay, told SunSport: "You wouldn't see him for 20 minutes - and then you'd see a pass Maradona-esque. Then he's on it and gets man of the match."

Palace's director of football Dougie Freedman even started scouting the boyhood Blackburn fan before his senior debut.

That effort and interest was not lost on Wharton and his representatives in January, when Chelsea were also keen.

The England Under-21 has always been bright enough to adapt to anything - such as his major move to the capital.

Jackson added: "Adam could turn himself into anything. I used to say he could be a rocket scientist."