A mass exodus is unfolding at Crystal Palace following Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi’s departures in the past two transfer windows. Eze made a much-desired move to Arsenal in a £67.5m deal, while Guehi headed to Manchester City last month for £20m.
The English duo played enormously important roles in Palace’s FA Cup triumph last season. They will be followed out of Selhurst Park by Austrian manager Oliver Glasner at the end of the season.
Several names are in the frame to replace Glasner, including Thomas Frank and Gareth Southgate. Simon Jordan suggested this week that Frank Lampard could be on the club’s radar amid a superb spell at Coventry City.
Daichi done at Palace
Daichi Kamada is reportedly also set to bid farewell to the Eagles. The Japanese midfielder joined the club in the summer of 2024 as a free agent and has grown into one of Glasner’s most influential players this season.
The 29-year-old has just returned from a hamstring injury which had kept him out of action since December. He’s appeared 25 times across competitions this season but looks to be entering his final months with the South Londoners.
According to James Savundra of Sky Sports, Kamada is set to leave Palace this summer. His deal is up in June, and it is expected that he will depart.
There have been “no conversations” about an extension, and he is set to take on a new challenge this summer. He was brought to Palace by Glasner, who previously managed the Japanese midfielder at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Glasner drove the move for Kamada, and both look set to depart when their contracts expire. He endured a slow start at Selhurst Park as he adapted to Premier League football.
Kamada will be eager to end his Palace spell on a high, and that could be with another European trophy win. He won the Europa League at Frankfurt under Glasner back in 2022.
No surprises
It’s frustrating to lose Kamada, given his impressive performances this season. He has stepped up and become a key man in the middle of the park.
Those who have followed the Japanese star during his career won’t be surprised to hear that he is headed for the exit door. He has become somewhat of a European journeyman, rarely spending longer than two years at a club.
| Kamada’s Premier League 2025-26 campaign | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 16 |
| Total minutes played: | 1,258 |
| Goals: | 0 |
| Assists: | 0 |
| Big chances created: | 2 |
| Key passes: | 0.7 |
| Accurate passes: | 25.9 (82%) |
| Tackles per game: | 2.7 |
| Ground duels won: | 4.3 (55%) |
Kamada spent a season on loan at Belgian outfit Sint-Truiden in 2018 before returning to Frankfurt the following year. He only lasted a year with Italian giants Lazio after leaving the Bundesliga club in August 2023.
An FA Cup hero
Palace fans will remember Kamada fondly for his contribution in the club’s historic FA Cup win. He became the first Japanese to start and win the competition’s final.
Kamada put in an assured defensive performance, which helped his side pull off a shock 1-0 win over Manchester City. He worked tirelessly and was even involved in Eze’s winner.
“I always said I really want to make a new history for Crystal Palace” – Kamada on Palace’s FA Cup final.
A 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the semi-finals was also partly thanks to his brilliance in the middle of the park. He proved his doubters wrong last season, and the club will miss his energy and workhorse profile.
