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Zinchenko names Arsenal teammate as Premier League’s most underrated player.
The most underappreciated player in the Premier League, according to Oleksandr Zinchenko, is Thomas Partey, an Arsenal colleague.
When Mikel Arteta’s team finished second to Manchester City in the Premier League standings the previous season, Partey was a crucial part of the midfield for Arsenal.
Partey is now playing at right-back, which is a stunning change for the beginning of the season after Declan Rice’s signing in the summer.
However, Zinchenko believes that Partey is the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League and prefers him above Rodri and Casemiro.
When asked who he thought was the most underappreciated player in the Premier League, Zinchenko responded, “Underrated… I envision Thomas Partey.
Asked if he feels Partey is better than Casemiro, Zinchenko replied: ‘Listen, I don’t want to say something bad, he’s absolutely a world-class player as well, Casemiro, five Champions Leagues. But for me, if you wanted me to choose one, it would be Partey.
‘I had the debate in my head, who is the best holding midfielder I have ever played with. It was between Fernandinho, Rodri and Partey.
‘It’s a tough one. I watched Fernandinho when he was at Shakhtar and he helped me so much. I love him like an older brother, but Thomas Partey… I don’t know.’
Asked by Rio Ferdinand if he believes Partey is better than Rodri, Zinchenko replied: ‘Rio, please come and see him in a training session. He has everything.
‘Rodri absolutely fits so well in City’s system, if you take him out it is a different City, for sure, no question. He is the main detail and that is the hardest position to play.’