Following his departure from English Premier League outfit Arsenal in June, experienced Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey is expected to finalize a switch to Spanish side Villareal in the coming days, with the deal reported to be in the final stages.
The 32-year-old left the Gunners following the expiration of his contract at the end of the previous season, ending his five-year stay at the North London club after talks of an extension failed to materialize.
Partey’s familiarity with the demands of Spanish football should make him succeed at the Yellow Submarines, after previous stints with Almeria, Mallorca and Atletico Madrid. Here are three reasons the 32-year-old will thrive at the club.
“Villarreal is the perfect lifeline for Partey,” — Ghana legend Sulley Muntari
Partey’s Versatility makes him a perfect fit for Villareal
Despite predominantly playing as a defensive midfielder, Thomas Partey can also flourish in other roles. He was deployed at right-back by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on several occasions last season in the absence of Jurrien Timber and Ben White, playing exceptionally well in every match he featured in.
The 32-year-old is also perfectly suited for the central midfield position due to his great understanding of the game.
Style of Play
Thomas Partey performs effectively at shielding his backline with a combination of his high work-rate and pressing abilities. His excellent positional awareness allows him to cover for overlapping fullbacks, while his passing skills enables him to act as a link between defense and attack.
Villareal ranked 15th in La Liga last season for possessions won per game (3.1), 15th in interceptions per game (7.4), and fifth in accurate long balls. The club’s midfield will benefit greatly with the addition of Thomas Partey, whose signing will be a major boost.
Arsenal’s One-Year Offer Forces Thomas Partey Exit After Contract Talks Collapse
Experience
At 32 years of age, Thomas Partey has performed at the top level of European football for over 10 years. He also has experience playing in the Spanish La Liga, following previous spells with Almeria on loan and with Atletico Madrid.
The average age of the Yellow Submarines squad is 26.1 years with only four players above the age of 30 and they will benefit from the Ghana star’s leadership and experience.
