Partey vows to work for more game time next season

Ghana and Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey says he is not getting carried away by his performance in the 2015/2016 season and is ready to work extra hard to impress Coach Diego Simeone next season.

The 23-year-old Ghana international burst into the Atletico Madrid team last season and hugely profited from an injury to Tiago Mendes.

The Ghanaian played in 13 league games and scored twice as Atletico Madrid finished 3rd in the Spanish La Liga, two points behind Real Madrid and three behind winners Barcelona.

He also played in five Champions League games including the finals, though the Los Colchoneros lost out to city rivals Real Madrid.

The former Tema Youth player’s impressive performance did not go unnoticed as Black Stars coach Avram Grant finally capped him for Ghana.

He says he is encouraged to go out next season and fight for more playing time at both club and national level.

“I think that there is only one thing the coach demands of every player and that is to give it your all,” Partey told Accra-based Citi-FM in Ghana

“The coach believes in me and tells me if I work hard I have the ability to be one of the best in my position.”

“So am encouraged to go out and there and prove to him what I can do to earn more playing time next season.”

Partey made his international debut for Ghana in an AFCON qualifier against Mauritius this month.