A Thomas Partey (Ghana, 24 years) who have seen him play since childhood compare him with compatriot Michael Essien, arguably the most prominent midfielder that has given Africa in the last two decades. His physical strength, especially developed in a remarkably muscled lower train, resembles that of the now Indonesian Persib Bandung player.
However, between Odumase Krobo, the small town in the south of the country where he and his seven younger siblings were born, and Acra, the capital of the former Olympique Lyon, Chelsea and Real Madrid, there are so many differences as in the short shot of a player who has become crucial to Simeone at the start of the season. This Saturday against Sevilla (13.00, beIN LaLiga) could complete his fifth consecutive game as a starter, a sequence that since joining the first Atletico squad by 2015 had never occurred.
In four games accumulates 34 recoveries, 170 passes completed and only four faults
Thomas, whom his father, exjugador and coach of the neighborhood team dubbed Senegal to remind him of a former teammate, landed in Madrid at the age of 17 and had only one training to be enrolled in Atletico Juvenil, which soon jumped to the subsidiary , in Segunda B. His athletic performances allowed him to develop like a limitless midfielder, although at the moment in which he met with Simeone that ambiguity diminished.
Before debuting with Atletico in the 13th day of League against Espanyol, in the 2015-2016 season, Thomas chained two assignments - to Mallorca in 2013-2014 and a year later to Almeria -, which allowed him to fire and demonstrate a potential that never went unnoticed by the coaching staff. As paradoxical as it may be, his ability to move the ball from the defensive line to the attack thanks to his physical power did not convince Simeone, for whom the placement and the gear above the purely athletic expenditure is the premium.
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"He has matured in his way of playing," they recognize in the club. And to prove his numbers in all four league games he has played: 34 recoveries, 170 passes completed (only 18 has gone wrong), and four fouls. A balance to which is consolidated the 96% of effectiveness in the pass that accumulated against the Roma in the match of Champions. That security and fluidity in the game have allowed him to settle next to Saúl the center of the field to the detriment of Gabi.
"Now he only needs to break free in attack," concede from Atletico, where he has only scored four goals in 32 games. With the selection of Ghana, where he has become a benchmark, he scored a hat-trick against the Congo during qualifying matches for the World Cup and praises soon arrived. "I'm impressed with him. It is clear that to play at Atletico you have to have something unique and I think he has it. He has a gift and I'm glad he plays with us, "congratulated Asamoah Gyan, captain of the Black Stars .
Deeply religious and little given to the parties, Thomas is one of those players that fame seems to be over. "I just want to help the team," he continues. And for the first time that help is occurring on the lawn and is very visible.
Source: EL PAIS