Harsh criticism of Kamada was entirely justified for at least his first year with us, notwithstanding good performances at Wembley, and also (albeit to a lesser extent) for the first half of last season. I was perfectly happy to acknowledge how much better he got over time, however, and especially how well he played in Europe. He has done enough to change my mind on him. I wanted him gone, now I want him to stay (he says, as if his opinion matters!).
I'll tell you what, though: For a bloke who passes it sideways and backwards so much, he knows how to take a risk in the game of life. Letting your contract run down can make you rich if you get a bigger deal at your next club, as free agents tend to, but it can also leave you poor if you break your leg first. Then you're out injured with no club doctor and physio, and unemployed. He's taken that risk twice already, I believe.
This summer, he's took it to another level. I'm sure he's well aware that his options and value will increase if he plays well on the biggest stage of all (and he played quite well last night, fluke goal aside), but he's also playing all these huge extra games, prolonging the risks. If he gets a bad injury at any stage then that offer from Palace might suddenly evaporate. A lot of players might want to sign that deal before getting on the plane, so that they have that protection going into these big games.
I mean, I know nobody ever actually tackles anybody these days, and one of my complaints about Kamada is just how excellent he is at staying well out of harms way, but still....