With Paul Pogba heavily linked to the likes of Juventus and Real Madrid, Manchester United could be on the lookout for a new midfielder soon. They could do far worse than Atletico Madrid’s midfield colossus, Thomas Partey.
The Ghanaian is a key component of Diego Simeone’s side, his technique and defensive work rate are a potent mix in the centre of the park.
He has excelled as part of Atletico’s 4-4-2 formation, and it’s easy to see him fitting into United’s 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-1-2 systems.
Partey would likely play alongside Scott Mctominay, providing a technically sound and defensively solid midfield platform for Solskajer’s side.
Partey’s defensive contribution in the Champions League, in particular, has been excellent, with 3.6 tackles and 1.5 interceptions a game, according to WhoScored.
His passing is also impressive, a passing success of 84.8% and 1.6 key passes per game in the Champions League. This makes him a prime candidate to fill in any vacant spot in United’s midfield.
At 26-years old, he’s in his prime and could be a key part of United’s midfield for years to come.
There won’t be any worries over his ability to deal with the physicality of the Premier League either. At over 6 feet tall and weighing 77 kilograms he’s more than a match for the most physical midfielders.
From a financial point of view, the transfer also makes perfect sense. The midfielder reportedly has a relatively inexpensive £43 million release clause inserted into his contract with the Spanish giants. That price shouldn’t be a problem for United, even with the effects of COVID-19 on the market.
The virus could also see the Spanish side forced to sell him if as is reported, the La Liga season is voided. The plan would see the current positions in the table decide European rankings. With Atletico in sixth place in the table, they would miss out on much needed Champions League revenue. This, in turn, could force them to sell players such as Partey.
If Pogba does leave, his sheer talent will be hard to replace, not to mention his star power. However, with a partnership of Scott Mctominay and Thomas Partey, United could have a partnership which could last for years.
