What happens to Daichi Kamada?

Daichi Kamada's career choices seem guided by a curious attraction to a symbol: the eagle. Since his arrival in Europe in 2017, the Japanese has, in fact, played for three emblematic clubs which take their nickname from this bird of prey and proudly wear it on their coat of arms. First the Eagles of Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany (die Adler), then the Eagles of Lazio in Italy (the Aquile), and today the Eagles of Crystal Palace in England (The Eagles). But today, it is clear that the eagle is indeed plucked.

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Born in 1996 in Ehime, Japan, Daichi Kamada quickly established himself as one of the most influential Japanese players of his generation. Trained at Sagan Tosu, he started professionally in 2015, in the J-League (Japanese 1st division, Editor's note), where he quickly attracted the attention of European teams. In 2017, he took a step forward by joining Eintracht Frankfurt. After a season of adaptation and a successful loan to Saint-Trond in Belgium, Kamada established himself as a member of the German team.

Success in Germany, failure in Italy

His move to Frankfurt then marked a turning point in his young career. He played a key role during the victorious 2022 Europa League campaign, notably scoring five goals. His creativity and sense of play earned him international recognition, opening new doors for him. Free from any contract in the summer of 2023, after four seasons spent with Frankfurt, the attacking midfielder discovered a new championship and signed a four-season lease with Lazio Rome.

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The 26-year-old at the time had high hopes of success in Italy. Fourth recruit for the capital club, after Valentin Castellanos (€15 million), Matteo Cancellieri (€8 million) and Diego González (€1 million), Samurai Blue is part of an ambitious project under the orders of Maurizio Sarri. In the Champions League and Serie A, Kamada was expected to bring his creativity, flair and European experience. However, his adventure in Italy quickly turns into disillusionment.

In 38 appearances in all competitions, the Japanese has only scored two goals and provided only two assists, a record well below expectations for a player of his caliber. In a locker room anchored around well-established leaders, Kamada has difficulty finding his place. His adaptation in Italy is also, in fact, a factor in his disappointing performance.

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Still in the trough of the wave

In 2024, after a short stint at Lazio Rome, he joined Crystal Palace in the Premier League, reuniting with his former, and quasi-mentor, Oliver Glasner, appointed coach of the Eagles the same year. But also across the Channel the story is far from being the idyll dreamed of by the Japanese. With little playing time, present in the starting eleven only 42% of the time in the championship, Kamada has not yet left his mark on the London city. At the end of the first 19 matches with Crystal Palace, Daichi Kamada's record remains mixed.

Despite occasional flashes, such as his decisive goal in the Carabao Cup against Aston Villa (1-2), the Japanese is struggling to regain the momentum that had made him one of the most prominent attacking midfielders in Europe. His short playing time in the Premier League and his still unfinished integration into the London squad suggest a complicated new season. It is now up to him to reverse the trend.