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I've played against Casemiro and with Rodri but Arsenal star Partey is the best

talksport.com, 30 August 2023, 11:24
Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko has faced some of football's greatest, but Thomas Partey is the best holding midfielder he's played with.

Partey joined Arsenal in a £45.3million deal from Atletico Madrid in 2020, but has recently been linked with a move away.

Galatasaray are one of several sides interested in bringing the midfielder to the Turkish Super Lig.

Zinchenko, when speaking to YouTube channel FIVE, did not hold back on lauding Partey - naming him the most underrated Premier League player.

The Ukraine international was asked if the Arsenal player was better than Manchester United's Casemiro.

"I don't want to say something bad. Casemiro is a world class player, five Champions Leagues. But if I had to choose, it would be Partey," Zinchenko replied.

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"I had the debate in my head, who is the best holding midfielder I have ever played with - it was between Fernandinho, Rodri and Partey. It is a tough one.

"I watched Fernandinho when he was at Shakhtar and he helped me so much. I love him like an older brother."

Rio Ferdinand also weighed in on the debate, asking Zinchenko if Partey was better than Manchester City star Rodri.

"I think he [Partey] is great, but better than Rodri?" Ferdinand said.

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Zinchenko then paused, leaving the Man United legend to raise his hands to his head.

"Rio, please come and see him in training. He has everything," the Ukrainian responded.

Zinchenko, who was a teammate of Rodri's at Man City, added: "He fits so well in City's system, take him out and it is a different City, for sure. He is the main detail and that is the hardest position to play."

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