With Eberechi Eze now departed, Crystal Palace head into the 2025/26 season with a new midfield hierarchy. The spotlight now turns to Daichi Kamada, Adam Wharton, and Will Hughes as the core midfield trio most likely to define the campaign. Below we examine their stats, roles, and why they merit the title of “best midfielders” in the current Palace setup among some of the best Crystal Palace players in general.
Kamada, Wharton & Hughes: The New Midfield Core
Daichi Kamada – The Link & Creativity Hub
| Metric | 2024-25 (Premier League) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 15 | StatMuse |
| Minutes | 1,552 | StatMuse |
| Goals | 0 | StatMuse |
| Assists | 0 | StatMuse |
Kamada arrived at Palace in summer 2024 and has the technical attributes that make him a natural fulcrum between defense and attack. While his raw output last season was limited, he provides composure in possession, the ability to drift between lines, and vision to unlock defences. As Palace reorient without Eze, Kamada is the obvious candidate to carry much of the creative load.
Adam Wharton – The Emerging Dynamo
| Metric | 2024-25 (All competitions) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances (Premier League) | 20 | StatMuse |
| Total Appearances | 27 | StatMuse |
| Goals | 0 | StatMuse |
| Assists | 0 | StatMuse |
Wharton, signed from Blackburn in 2024, quickly earned trust with consistent displays in his first season. Though his goal/assist numbers are modest, his energy, range of passing, defensive work, and ability to pick passes into the final third make him a rising pivot in Palace’s midfield. His adaptability, able to press, break lines, and recover possessionm, are vital in transition.
Will Hughes – The Experienced Balancer
| Metric | 2024-25 (Premier League) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 33 | StatMuse |
| Minutes | ~2,121 | StatMuse |
| Goals | 0 | StatMuse |
| Assists | 3 | StatMuse |
The veteran presence, Hughes is the stabilizer in this midfield trio. His consistency, discipline, and positional sense allow Kamada and Wharton to take more creative risks. With five seasons already under his belt at Palace, Hughes offers calm under pressure and a safeguard in transitional phases.
Why This Trio Works
- Balance of youth and experience. Wharton brings youthful energy and forward impetus; Kamada supplies the creative vision; Hughes provides balance and steadiness.
- Role complementarity. Wharton’s engine, Hughes’ coverage, and Kamada’s line-breaking passing interlock well.
- Squad continuity & depth. Injuries or rotation will demand contributions from other midfielders, but this trio forms the backbone.
- Tactical flexibility. The manager can adjust formations (e.g. two-mid, three-mid) without losing coherence because the three all have different yet overlapping strengths.
Given the departure of Eze, Palace’s midfield identity is evolving. But Kamada, Wharton, and Hughes hold the best case collectively for “top midfielders” in 2025/26.
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