Oleksandr Zinchenko gives his thoughts on the Thomas Partey vs Casemiro vs Rodri debate

Arsenal full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko thinks Thomas Partey is not only the Premier League's most underrated player, but the best holding midfielder he’s ever played with.

The 26-year-old Ukraine international was full of praise for Partey, who signed for the Gunners from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for a reported £45.3 million.

Partey has been heavily linked with a move away from the Emirates this summer, with Turkish side Galatasaray interested in bringing the midfielder to the Super Lig.

But he has an admirer in Zinchenko, who was speaking to YouTube channel FIVE when he named the Ghanaian as the most underrated Premier League player.

In fact, when asked by presenter Joel Beya if Partey was better than Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, the former Man City defender made his feelings clear.

Zinchenko responded: "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."

He added: "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, who was standing on set, soon asked if Partey was better than Manchester City's in-form midfielder Rodri – a question that left Zinchenko contemplating.

But even that pause left Ferdinand with his hands on his head. "I think he is great, but better than Rodri?" the former England international asked.

Zinchenko hit back: "Rio, please come and see him in training. He has everything."

The Ukraine international did give credit to his former teammate Rodri, saying: "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."

Zinchenko went on to name Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah as his toughest ever opponent.

"Salah is so sharp, fast, strong. He can go both sides and you can never expect what he is going to do," the Arsenal man said. "When you give him space and he turns, it is so hard to stop him."

Topics: Oleksandr Zinchenko, Arsenal, Premier League

Jack Kenmare

Senior Journalist at SPORTbible with a passion for long-form journalism. Almost 10 years’ experience across online and print.

@jackkenmare_