The Ghana Football Association has moved swiftly to throw its weight behind Thomas Partey, reaffirming that the midfielder remains central to the Black Stars’ plans despite recent criticism from his club coach in Spain.
GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum dismissed suggestions that Partey’s standing has diminished following comments made by Villarreal head coach Marcelino García after the club’s Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen. The coach had questioned the Ghanaian’s display in that match, sparking debate about Partey’s current form.
Partey, 32, joined Villarreal on a free transfer after the expiry of his contract with Arsenal. His start to life in Spain has been hampered by fitness issues, with reports indicating he has been managing an injury while featuring for the Yellow Submarine. Those setbacks, however, have not altered the GFA’s assessment of his importance to the national setup.
Addressing the matter, Asante Twum felt the remarks from Villarreal’s coach were unnecessarily severe and stressed that one performance should not be used to define a player of Partey’s pedigree, especially given his fitness concerns.
“We believe in the quality of Partey, and we do not believe one game defines him as a player,” he said.
“At the FA, we do not share the coach’s view on this matter. Partey remains a top player, and we have a strong belief in his qualities,” Asante Twum added.
Within the Black Stars camp, Partey continues to be viewed as a leader and a key reference point as Ghana intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The technical team is understood to value his experience, composure in midfield, and influence on and off the pitch, even as he battles to regain full fitness at club level.
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Barring any late setbacks, the former Arsenal man is expected to be included in Ghana’s squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Austria and Germany next month. The fixtures form part of the Black Stars’ broader build-up towards the 2026 World Cup, which will be staged in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
