Thomas Partey has struggled to rediscover his best form since joining Villarreal CF in the summer of 2025 following the expiration of his contract at Arsenal.
The Ghana midfielder arrived on a free transfer with expectations of strengthening Villarreal’s midfield. However, he has found regular playing time difficult to secure amid strong competition within the squad.
Partey has featured in 16 La Liga matches this season but has started only seven of those games, making nine appearances from the bench. He is yet to register a goal or assist, a statistic that reflects a difficult campaign for a player once known for his control and influence in midfield.
The 32-year-old built his reputation as a commanding presence during spells with Atletico Madrid and Arsenal. At Villarreal, though, he has often been overlooked in favour of other midfield options, including Pape Gueye, who has been preferred by coach Marcelino GarcÃa Toral in several matches.
Away from the pitch, Partey is also dealing with an ongoing legal case in England. In August 2025, he was charged with five counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault against a third woman, allegations he denies.
The case has since expanded with two additional counts of rape relating to another alleged victim. While it remains unclear how much the off-field situation has affected his performances, the circumstances have added further scrutiny to a challenging season for the Ghana international.
Source: Ghanasoccernet
