- Kamada’s tough start to Palace life
- Potentially leaving Palace in style
- Now a key player in Glasner’s side
When Crystal Palace signed Daichi Kamada, there was an element of the unknown about the Japanese international. A favourite of incoming manager Oliver Glasner, Kamada’s time in South London has been turbulent, but his quality has shone through.
Signed on a free transfer after a spell at Lazio, Kamada followed his former boss to Selhurst Park.
His start to life at Palace was slow. An elongated phase of integration into the side, and steady acclimatisation to Premier League football led to many fans questioning the signing.
However, his talent has certainly grown through, and he’s now a critical piece of Palace’s tactical setup and a fan favourite.
Slow to settle
One of the first signings of Glasner’s reign, Kamada came through the door having won the Europa League under the Austrian boss at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Scorer of Frankfurt’s fourth penalty as they beat Rangers in the final, Kamada then spent a season in Serie A with Lazio.
Naturally operating as a more attacking minded midfielder, Kamada’s role at Palace was a challenging adaptation.
Myself, and many fans criticised his performances, and in fairness, rightly so.
Often played out of position to accommodate the formation, and perhaps because his talents as a deeper midfield weren’t as prominent, Kamada struggled for form initially.
However, the role that he went on to play at the end of his first season with the club was nothing short of inspirational.
A key figure in Palace’s FA Cup winning campaign, the partnership he formed at the heart of midfield with Adam Wharton was pivotal to the club’s success.
In both the semi final win over Aston Villa, and the 1-0 victory over Manchester City, Kamada stood out as one of Palace’s most influential players.
Not one for the headlines and spotlight, he simply gets on with his work, and does so to an exceptional level.
With his contract set to expire this Summer, it is likely that we have entered the final weeks of Kamada’s time at Palace, but if it is to be goodbye, what a spell it’s been.
Running the show
If you were to go back to the first few weeks of his Palace career and tell yourself that he would be simply undroppable in half a year’s time, not many people would have believed you.
Alas, here we find ourselves, with Kamada one of the most important players for the system, and player of the match in the first leg of Palace’s first ever European semifinal.
A goal and an assist in Krakow against Shakhtar, Kamada was vital to Palace returning home with a two goal cushion ahead of next week’s second leg.
His minutes have been well managed this season, and with strong rotational depth in his position, the 29-year-old has been able to ensure his impact on games is as consistent as it is enjoyable to watch.
A huge area of struggle for Glasner has been spreading the goals across the side. Kamada’s half-volleyed strike to make it 2-1 last Thursday was the first goal that one of either himself, Wharton, Lerma or Hughes have scored all season.
His assist was perhaps even more enjoyable.
Every single one of his goal involvements this term have come in the Conference League, reinforcing what we already knew – Daichi Kamada is a big fan player.
His history of playing on the continent in European competition has given the squad a vital dosage of experience, and he has taken games by the scruff on numerous occasions.
With potentially a maximum of 7 games remaining for Palace, Kamada will have the chance to bow out with yet more success, as he aims to win his second European trophy as a player.
After his goal in Krakow last week, Kamada joked that it was a long time coming. “Yes, my left foot sometimes works really well, that was today!”
The strike which put Palace back infront was the first goal from all four of Palace’s central midfielders this season. “I don’t have many opportunities when you play No.6 in our system, but today I had the opportunity, and finally I could score!”
If this is to be the end of his time in South London, Kamada will be remembered for what has truly been a heroic redemption arc, and a sign to all fans that you should never write a player off too quickly.
