The future of Palace’s midfield dynamo Daichi Kamada had been up in the air since the culmination of an excellent season for the Japanese international. 

With his contract ending, there were doubts in the fanbase surrounding his intentions and whether he would follow Oliver Glasner out the door after two strong seasons with the club. 

Kamada has developed into one of the side’s most important players, a stark development considering his struggle to settle when he first signed in the Summer of 2024. 

It seemed almost certain that Glasner’s departure would spell the end to Kamada’s Palace career, with fans accepting that what has been a truly enjoyable two seasons would now be ending. 

However, in a recent interview with Japanese reporter Mori Ekuni via SoccerDigest, the midfielder has suggested that his time in South London is far from over.

Speaking after Japan’s World Cup exit to five times winners Brazil, Kamada was asked about his plans going forward with his current deal now expired. 

“Considering that I get to play in a European competition, in the Premier League, in a city like London where my family has settled into the environment completely - honestly, there really isn’t a better club than Palace.”

The ball now falls directly into Palace’s court, and the club would surely be interested in striking a deal to extend Kamada’s time at Selhurst Park. 

“...for me, playing in the Premier League is currently just as much of a priority as aiming to win the Champions League. Well, I still don’t know for sure, but that’s how I see it.”

Not only would a new deal for Kamada benefit Pierre Sage’s squad, it would also alleviate the pressure to sign a new starting quality midfielder. It may also further deter the club from breaking up the partnership that Kamada has formed with Adam Wharton, despite a multitude of links with a potential move for the former Blackburn player. 

With Sage coming into the club, continuity within the first team squad will only make his transition to life in the Premier League more streamlined. 

It will also allow Palace to continue their model of recruitment, searching for a younger, more raw option that can adapt to Premier League football with a lack of pressure for instant results.

The injury problems for Cheick Doucouré continued to cause issues last season, and with the unknown nature of his current fitness and potential return, securing Kamada’s future will be a huge step for the club. 

Kamada has carried his club form into the World Cup, and despite Japan’s Round-of-32 exit, he had a stellar tournament. He started every single game for Hajime Moriyasu’s side, and even scored twice, in their first two group stage games. 

In the defeat to Brazil, he recorded a 100% pass accuracy, the winning goal coming after he was replaced by Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka.