Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey is Ghana's most decorated midfielder of his generation, spending seven formative years at Atlético Madrid under Diego Simeone where his box-to-box power and tenacity made him one of La Liga's most complete central midfielders. His £45 million move to Arsenal in 2020 brought high expectations, and when fit he demonstrated exactly why — driving forward, breaking up play, and dictating tempo. Injuries repeatedly disrupted his Gunners career, limiting his consistency across four seasons. Now at Villarreal at 33, he remains the Black Stars' most influential midfield presence when available, and his experience anchors Ghana's World Cup preparations.