Avram Grant’s Take: Essien-Partey comparison

The comparison between midfielders Micheal Essien and Thomas Partey continues being a discussion among football fans in Ghana and around the world.

The current Black Stars assistant captain has made a €45million move to Arsenal and is set to have a taste of the English Premier League, possibly beginning this weekend when they face Manchester City.

Micheal Essien, an instant hit for Chelsea in 2005, continued to excel till his departure in 2012.

He played under Avram Grant when they lost the 2007/08 Champions League final to Manchester United in Russia.

For Partey, it was Grant who introduced him to the Ghana national team in 2016.

He also played in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations where Ghana were eliminated in the semifinals by Cameroon.

So it’s fair enough for Grant to talk of the two players.

“Both are very good players but very different. I coached both of them and you see the key features of players usually in training,” Grant told 3Sports.

“Essien is very versatile. Maybe aside from the goalkeeper’s position, He can play very well.

“But in midfield, he is more of a box to box type. Very physical where it matters too.”

On Partey, the 60-year-old said his control in midfield will help Arsenal and make a good career like Essien.

“Thomas is more about controlling the game in midfield and especially defensive midfield.

“He has the qualities to help Arsenal’s balance. He’s a good boy with, good mentality and I hope he gets a successful career like Essien.”

By Dennis Ivan Opoku/Footyghana