BY ANDREW MCSTEEN
Adam Wharton has praised central midfield partner Daichi Kamada after the two players helped guide Crystal Palace to just their third FA Cup Final in history.
A comprehensive 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday saw the Eagles through with a number of impressive performances from the SE25 side, not least that of the Japanese international Kamada, who signed for the club in the summer.
Kamada became one of the highest earners in South London after reuniting with former manager Oliver Glasner at Palace, but had a tough start to his career in England as he came to terms with the pace and physicality of English football, following spells in Italy and Germany.
But recent weeks has seen the 28-year-old find his feet, registering a number of full 90 minutes and for many, his performance against Villa was his best in a Palace shirt so far.
“Daichi had a tough start to his Palace career, probably, but you’re seeing how good of a player he is now,” said Wharton.
“He’s a top player [but] we’ve seen it before. He’s played Champions League and Europa League. His technical ability is great, he’s really comfortable on the ball, keeping possession and he runs for days; he’s doing really well. I’m trying to speak to him as much as possible (during games) and you’ve got to do that, but it’s pretty hard when the crowd is so loud (as it was at Wembley), but you can also speak on the ball and just by knowing each other, day-in, day-out in training.”
This season has also been tough for Wharton, missing the entirety of November, December and January after having groin surgery and not recording a full 90 minutes since his return in February.
On Saturday, Wharton caused issues for Villa. First, his pass into the box to Ebere Eze, which led to a missed Jean-Philippe Mateta penalty and then his midfield interception which fed Mateta who played in Ismaila Sarr, for Palace’s second goal.
“One game doesn’t mean anything. I can play well, but if I’m crap in the next five games, then it means nothing,” said the 21-year-old. “I’m playing regularly. I’m feeling better every game, but I’m still not where I want to be. I’m trying to get as many minutes in the legs, but there’s always room for improvement. I’ve just got to take each game keep working hard and keep performing.
“Today I felt good and it helps when the team is playing well as well, but I’m not anywhere I want to be, I’ve still plenty to work on. I’m still young. I’m happy with performance, but there’s plenty of things I could have done better in the game as well.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
