Michael Essien raves over compatriot Thomas Partey | OneFootball

Michael Essien would have loved to play with fellow Ghanaian Thomas Partey but has come to term that, even though he’s still playing, the time will never come.

Partey has become a star defensive midfielder with Atlético Madrid and has been heavily linked to Arsenal over the last few months.

However, Atlético are trying their hardest to offer Partey a deal to stay and see his release clause jump from about €50m to €100m.

Essien isn’t surprised at all that bigger clubs are coming after the 26-year-old and heaped the praise onto the Ghana international.

“Thomas is such a good player. I’d have loved to play with him,” Essien said.

“He is a young and talented player making waves in Europe. He is one player I’d liked to play alongside but it will never happen.

“It is their time at the Black Stars now so we have to support them and hopefully they can take it from where we left off.”

The 37-year-old Essien is now with Azerbaijani club Sabail both as a player and managing their U-19s.