Adam Wharton reflects on Blackburn Rovers journey so far

Adam Wharton knows exactly how it feels trying to break into the first-team picture at Rovers and is keen to help those looking to follow in his footsteps.

The midfielder has become a key member of Jon Dahl Tomasson’s squad at Ewood Park, and it is easy to forget that his senior debut only came in August 2022.

“The first few times I trained with the first team was under Tony Mowbray, a couple of years ago as a second-year scholar,” Wharton told SCOUTED Notebook.

“I remember feeling shy. I wasn’t really demanding the ball in training, I just wanted to get through everything without making a mistake.

“But once you have been there for a few sessions your personality can come out, you feel more comfortable and that is when you start showing everyone what you are about.”

He continued: “Even though I haven’t spent a huge amount of time with the first team, I feel like I am in a position where I can really help those guys coming through and making that transition because it is not easy and I have experienced it myself, how useful it can be having someone in your corner.

“I remember Tyrhys Dolan coming over to me when I first came up, just to have a chat and tell me he was around if I needed anything. That makes a big difference.”

Rovers’ Academy continues to shine and Tomasson certainly hasn’t been afraid to give youth a chance since taking charge at Ewood Park.

“It’s definitely a good thing,” Wharton reflected. “You can probably see it throughout the season, at times you will need experienced heads to help see you through games or crucial moments.

“But otherwise, it is great to feel part of a young squad that is learning together and pulling in the same direction.

“Especially with the way the gaffer wants us to play now, expansive, playing out from the back like most teams do, we can maybe adapt to those methods a bit quicker as we have been brought up in a different way.

“Even for younger players coming into the first team set up, I think it helps their integration because they are coming into a group that they can relate to, as well as us being able to relate to them.

Wharton celebrates his goal against the Terriers (Image: Camerasport)

“Even for me, last year I was in and out of the team but this year I really feel part of the team, part of the dressing room.”

The 19-year-old got on the scoresheet against Huddersfield at the weekend with a ruthless finish after pouncing on a loose ball.

His brother, Scott, played most of the game against the Terriers after coming off the bench for the injured Hayden Carter.

Despite playing in different positions, Scott’s journey gave Adam plenty of belief while he was progressing through the ranks.

“I had two older brothers so I was always kicking about with them, in the garden, at school, for my local club, and then I joined Blackburn’s Under-six team. That is all I wanted to do,” he recalled.

“I got in through my brother who joined a bit later at Under-12 level. After he signed, they asked him ‘Have you got any brothers?’

“I started going once a week, on a Friday after school, and I never looked back. I have known Blackburn basically my whole life.”

“Of course, there were elements of friendly competition to our relationship but I was just happy to see him make it, and I’m sure he was the same for me. It was never about me feeling pressure or needing to match my brother.

Scott Wharton also rose through the ranks at Rovers (Image: Camerasport)

“It definitely helped with him being older, seeing him develop through the Academy and what you needed to be successful. It is a little bit different because he is a defender but I always looked up to him.”

Wearing the blue and white shirt is something Wharton, a local lad, will never take for granted.

“I think my first game was in 2008, I was a mascot with Danny Simpson against Chelsea,” he added.

“I would have been four at the time. Unfortunately, they lost 2-0 on the day but guys like Roque Santa Cruz, Benni McCarthy, Chris Samba, Ryan Nelsen and Paul Robinson definitely made an impact on me.

“Obviously, being in the Academy so early, we would see the players once a year and I remember meeting Chris Samba.

“Somewhere there is a picture of me getting my boots signed by him, and another with my mum where his head is basically cut out of the picture because he was so tall and I was tiny!

“He was doing his coaching badges with the club a year or two ago and I showed him that picture, which definitely made him feel old.

“But it is lovely to have those memories and of course, it does inspire you as a young player to succeed.”

The midfielder’s career has got off to a promising start, but he is still eager to learn and improve his game.

“It was something I heard all throughout my Academy life, that I didn’t work hard enough out of possession, the classic number 10,” said Wharton.

“The higher up you go, your margin for error basically disappears. Every time you switch off, every time you are a second late to track a runner, that can be punished.

“But it is something I have really tried to work on since making the move up, and I think I have got a lot stronger out of possession.

“Even on the ball, there is so much for me to improve on. Whether it is the timing of my passing, the intention of my passing, you never stop. I have never been somebody who gets ahead of themselves.”

The highly-rated youngster has also played in a deeper midfield role for Rovers where he can contribute more to the build-up phase.

When asked which is his favourite role, Wharton replied: “I don’t really have a preference.

“I like to play deeper, I like to play further up, but I can also thrive in a more box-to-box role. I’m happy to play anywhere as long as I can affect the game.

“I love wrapping passes through to the number 10 so they can turn and drive at the defence - maybe more than a goal or an assist.

“Because I was a number 10 myself, I can appreciate how difficult those passes are to make, but also how valuable they can be - especially if you’re being found between the lines.”