There’s big pressure on Thomas Partey at Arsenal next season.
The 28-year-old had a mixed first year in North London following a £45 million switch from Atletico Madrid last October.
There’s no denying that the Ghana powerhouse had a few injuries but, for the most part, it was a lack of form, not fitness, which saw him endure a lukewarm first season at Arsenal.
The Emirates Stadium side could’ve also signed Jorginho instead of Partey and given events of the past couple of months, you wonder if it was the right call.
Last night, the Chelsea midfielder won Euro 2020 to make it a summer to remember, having also helped the Blues to Champions League glory back in May.
Wrong decision?
Sky Sports reported last September that Arsenal were considering a move for the Italy international, whose career in Stamford Bridge was up in the air.
With Jorginho and Partey being similar midfielders, there was only room at the Emirates Stadium for one and maybe, just maybe, the former Napoli star would’ve been the better addition.
Not only was he well adapted to life in the Premier League, but he might’ve also been cheaper than the £45 million it cost to get Partey.
Remember, Jorginho had been frozen out of the Blues side during Project Restart last summer and that – the fact that Frank Lampard didn’t seem to want him – takes a chunk of his value.
It’s still relatively early days for Partey, it has to be said.
And quite a lot of players do improve substantially after a mixed first season in England, but there’s no denying what Jorginho has achieved since those Arsenal links and time will tell whether Mikel Arteta and Edu made the right move.
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