Thomas Partey

“Simeone has helped me a lot.”

“I've grown up in Atleti and I am sure I will stay here. I don't know of another place that will understand how I play like they do here.”

“When we were young we watched a lot of Premier League and LaLiga games and, for my father, it is a great feeling for me to achieve my dream. He was my first coach and we would go out running with him in the mountains and we would be jumping, heading leaves and all those things.”

“I have followed Arsenal for a long time. When we were young we used to watch so many games, when they had the Invincibles season in 2004, they were so great. That is when they won the hearts of so many people.”

“My father wanted me to be a professional. It was always about football.”

“I have to do my best for the team and my country.”

“Football is a game we all enjoy.”

“When I was young my father used to play. He always took me to the training ground.”

“I'm doing all the necessary ways to be able to be more fit and to be be able to play more games.”

“I think the most important thing is that I like to play in the midfield, but then wherever I need to play to help the team, I will play there and try my best to help the team.”

“I've always wanted to play in the top leagues and the Premier League is one of the top leagues, so I'm happy to be here.”

“I was just 10 years old and moving to a very dangerous city in Ghana. For my mother it was like losing her son. But the managers spoke to my parents and I wanted to be there. All I wanted to do was to continue playing football.”

“I try to take advantage of any time that Simeone gives me.”

“I can't choose my position, sometimes it's possible but not every time.”

“The Premier League is a good league, it's very competitive and has some of the best players in the world.”

“I like to be both defensive and offensive.”

“Playing well on a personal level? The important thing is the team, the personal aspect comes after.”

“The only thing I care about is seeing Ghana win every match.”

“I am only under pressure when I am in front of the TV cameras.”

“I should be more intelligent not to get into a challenge when already booked. But this is my personality, I like to fight for every ball.”