Why is Thomas Partey not performing at Villarreal?

The bona fide Ghanaian midfielder recently faced criticism from head coach Marcelino García Toral after Villarreal’s loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League.

The manager said that there is a huge difference between Arsenal’s Partey and the Partey at his disposal in the ongoing season.

Sources familiar with the player indicate that Partey has been experiencing severe pubalgia for almost two months.

This condition has limited his movement and made it challenging for him to perform at his typical level without considerable pain.

The former Arsenal midfielder, despite experiencing ongoing discomfort, remained available for selection as Villarreal faced a difficult time, choosing to play despite the pain instead of staying off the field.

The injury also explains Partey’s absence from Ghana’s international matches in November, when the Black Stars played against Japan and South Korea.

He was recommended to step back from national team responsibilities in order to focus on treatment and recovery, to regain full fitness instead of risking additional issues.

Sources state that Partey’s dedication has always been clear, highlighting that he has taken steps to manage his injury while still being available to assist his team whenever he can.

As his recovery continues, there is hope that Partey will return to his best performance for both Villarreal and the national team.

The Ghanaian has enjoyed only 672 minutes in 14 matches in the Spanish La Liga. He was a starter for Arsenal only a year ago, so his decline is extremely shocking.