“He is not mentally ready” – Villarreal manager Marcelino slams Thomas Partey

Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia has openly criticized Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, saying the player has failed to regain his form and is not mentally prepared as previously indicated.

Partey, 32, joined the Yellow Submarines on a free transfer last summer, signing a two-year contract. However, he has struggled to settle at the club and has not reproduced the performances he showed during his time at Atletico Madrid and Arsenal.

Since moving to the Estadio de la Cerámica, Partey has seen limited playing time, often appearing from the bench. He has also dropped down the midfield pecking order, now behind 17-year-old Carlos Marcia.

Despite his difficulties, the midfielder has featured in 19 matches across all competitions, including 14 in La Liga and five in the UEFA Champions League.

Speaking after Villarreal’s midweek defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, Marcelino did not hold back. Partey, who did not return for the second half of that match, was described by the coach as a very different player from the one he previously knew.

Marcelino added that Partey’s recent court case has affected him and insisted the midfielder is currently not mentally ready to compete at the highest level.

“There’s a world of difference between the [#16] we knew at Arsenal and the current one. You can’t play at this pace in today’s football. It’s been 6 months now, and he’s had enough time to show us what he’s capable of.

“We are talking about a player who was brought here to provide experience and stability. Instead, what do we have? We have a player who is mentally elsewhere. I am tired of making excuses. I am tired of the press conferences being about court dates instead of corner kicks.

“You cannot have five rape charges and a sexual assault charge following you into the dressing room and expect to play at the highest level. It is a cloud that covers everything. I was told he was ‘mentally prepared.’ He is not. He is a shadow.”

Partey has long been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, and reports suggest he is unlikely to remain at Villarreal beyond the current season, with the manager seemingly not including him in his plans.

The midfielder will be hoping to earn a place in Ghana’s Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.