Partey’s career in limbo ?
Ghana star Thomas Teye Partey is facing an uncertain future in Spain, with his stint at Villarreal threatening to fizzle out well before expectations were met.
According to Spanish daily Marca, the experienced midfielder has fallen out of favour with head coach Marcelino García Toral, who is said to be deeply unimpressed by Partey’s form and influence since his arrival last summer.
According to Spanish media, Marcelino has already informed the club’s hierarchy that Partey is unlikely to be retained once his current deal expires, barring a dramatic late turnaround. The 32-year-old signed a two-year contract last summer, meaning the remainder of the campaign could prove decisive.
Partey’s struggles, particularly in the Champions League, where Villarreal shipped 18 goals in eight matches, have only intensified scrutiny of his role and influence in midfield.
Once viewed as the experienced anchor to steady the side, he has instead slipped down the pecking order.
After a recent outing, Marcelino did little to hide his disappointment.
“I think there’s a world of difference between the Thomas we knew at Arsenal and this one,” he said. “A world of difference.”
The Villarreal boss admitted that expectations had been high when Partey arrived as a free agent last August.
“He’s a great player with a lot of experience,” Marcelino had said at the time, backing him to return to the highest level. Six months on, that optimism has faded.
“It’s very difficult to play at this pace in today’s football,” he added. “So, I think it’s been six months now, and that’s enough time for this player to show us what he was—or what he’s showing now.”
Limited playing time
Partey has featured 21 times in all competitions, but his rhythm has been repeatedly disrupted. Sources close to the player reveal he has been battling severe pubalgia for nearly two months, a condition that limits mobility and makes high-intensity performances painfully difficult.
With Villarreal increasingly open to parting ways, interest from Saudi Arabian clubs is understood to be gathering pace once again. Partey had been heavily linked with a move to the Middle East before choosing La Liga, and a lucrative switch could be back on the table should the Spanish side decide to cut their losses.
Despite the uncertainty at club level, Partey remains a central figure in Ghana’s plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He recently held talks with Black Stars head coach Otto Addo ahead of Villarreal’s clash with Bayer Leverkusen, with the Ghana boss stressing the importance of players staying fit and competitive as the global showpiece approaches.
As one of the most experienced members of the Ghana national football team, Partey will be expected to rediscover sharpness and authority as Ghana prepare for a demanding World Cup group against Panama, England and Croatia.
The Black Stars open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.
Warm-up matches against Austria and Germany in March are expected to provide an early test of Partey’s readiness.
For now, however, the Ghanaian finds himself at a crossroads, as he fights for relevance at club level while carrying the weight of expectation from a nation that still believes he can deliver for the Black Stars on the biggest stage.
