Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has firmly chosen Thomas Partey as the best-holding midfielder among highly-rated footballers Rodri, Fernandinho and Casemiro.
The Ukraine international who joined from Manchester City last summer played alongside Fernandinho as well as Rodri at City where they won trophies together. But he believes his Arsenal teammate Thomas Partey is a better player than the duo as well as Manchester United’s Casemiro.
On Rio Ferdinand’s FIVE, the 26-year-old said “I think Thomas Partey [is the most underrated player in the Premier League]. Adding that: “Casemiro. He is absolutely a world-class player as well. Casemiro, five Champions Leagues but for me, if you want me to choose one, Thomas Partey.
“I had a debate in my head on who is actually the best holding midfielder I ever played with; the debate was between Fernandinho, Thomas Partey, and Rodri, but Thomas Partey, I don’t know (in awe).
“[Partey] has everything. Rodri is absolutely well fit for the City system, if you take him out, it’s a different City. He’s like the main detail there. For me, in City, this is the hardest position to play and Rodri suits there so well,” he added.
Partey, who had a fantastic season with Arsenal last year, was rumored to be leaving North London. His position was lost to new signing Jorginho in the second half of the season. Despite Declan Rice’s arrival at Arsenal for a club-record fee, the 30-year-old has kept his spot in the team and has played in every game this season.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about his new position at right-back with many chastising manager Mikel Arteta for experimenting with a ‘bad’ strategy for the Black Stars midfielder.