Honoured With Black Stars Call Up But... - Thomas Partey

Atletico Madrid midfielder, Thomas Partey, has acknowledged being honoured to have received a first national team call up but quickly cooled talks of being under pressure for his maiden appearance.

Partey, 22, was part of three players to have been handed their maiden Black Stars call ups for this month’s 2017 AFCON qualifiers against Mauritius with the others being AshantiGold’s defender Mohammed Kadri and Kazakhstan based forward Patrick Twumasi.

Ghana will seal qualification to Africa’s biggest football showpiece in Gabon next year with a point against the Island nation on Sunday, June 5 and Partey who joined the team for the second day’s training at the Accra Sports Stadium told the media that, he is under no pressure to perform for Ghana.

He said, “I am excited with the call up and happy to give my all to the success of the team and the country as a whole.

I am not under any pressure joining the team for the first time as I know we have a good team and along with hard-work and the coaches tactics, we will surely excel in our quest to seal qualification to the AFCON 2017 in Gabon next year.”  

Coach Avram Grant and his team are expected to depart Ghana for Mauritius on Thursday.

Honoured With Black Stars Call Up But... - Thomas Partey

Referee Mark Clattenburg To Officiate UCL Final

Mark Clattenburg has been appointed by UEFA to referee the Champions League final between Real Madrid and city rivals Atletico at the San Siro in Milan.

The 41-year-old from County Durham officiated at the semi-final first leg between Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Clattenburg, who has been an international referee since 2007 and will take charge of this season’s FA Cup final on May 21, will be assisted by fellow Englishmen Simon Beck and Jake Collin in Milan.

UEFA confirmed the fourth official for the showpiece European tie on May 28 will be Hungarian Viktor Kassai, while the two additional assistant referees Anthony Taylor and Andre Marriner are also both from England.

 

 

 

Referee Mark Clattenburg To Officiate UCL Final

Atletico Madrid Eliminates Barcelona

Atletico Madrid knocked holders Barcelona out of the Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate victory after Antoine Griezmann’s double secured a 2-0 second-leg win at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday.

Atleti edged ahead when Griezmann headed past Marc-Andre ter Stegen on 36 minutes, and the Frenchman added a second from the penalty spot two minutes from time after Andres Iniesta’s handball.

Barcelona were denied a late penalty themselves when Iniesta’s shot appeared to strike Gabi Fernandez on the arm in the box, but referee Nicola Rizzoli awarded a free-kick, which Lionel Messi curled over.

Atletico Madrid, who eliminated Barca at the same stage of the competition two seasons ago, join Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid in the last four, with the draw set to take place in Nyon on Friday.

Atletico Madrid Eliminates Barcelona

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Preview

Holders Barca face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, four days after losing El Clasico 2-1 to Real Madrid.

“We had almost forgotten what losing was,” Enrique said on Monday.

“Our team has more than enough to keep being the same it has been.”

Despite Saturday’s defeat, Barca could yet finish the season with five trophies.

Having already won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, the Catalans are six points clear of Atletico at the top of La Liga and have reached the Copa del Rey final.

This is the 13th meeting between Barcelona and Atletico in less than three years.

Barcelona have won the past six meetings, with Atletico’s last victory coming in the Champions League quarter-finals in April 2014.

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Preview

Falcao Ready To End His Chelsea Nightmare

Falcao Ready To End Chelsea Move

Radamel Falcao’s Chelsea and premier league nightmare looks to be coming to an end after his former club, Atletico Madrid are trying to bring the Colombian back to Spanish capital.

 

 

The world time world’s best forward has had a miserable couple of years in England and he is now desperate to leave the Premier League champions, who are also willing to let him go.

 

Falcao is on loan from Monaco but due to his recent injury record, the French club are unwilling to cut short the loan deal.

 

The 29-year-old prefers a move back to Spain after the recent signing of Alexandre Pato saw him fall further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Falcao Ready To End His Chelsea Nightmare

GFA Is Not Monitoring Only Inaki Williams - George Afriyie

Ghana football association is monitoring many Ghanaian players abroad to secure their services for the national team according to the vice president of the association, George Afriyie.

Many Ghanaian youngsters have been in scintillating form  for their various clubs and the FA has eyes on them switch allegiance to the Ghana. Notable names include Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao, the youngest player ever to score over 10 goals in the Spanish La liga, and Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid.

Ghana football association vice president George Afriyie confirmed the technical team of the Black Stars have their eyes on those players including many others.

“The FA is monitoring a lot of players. We are monitoring Partey, Inaki Williams, and another player from Germany,” George Afriyie told sportscrusader.com

He added that: “In our monitoring lenses we have a lot of Ghanaians but we have to leave that for the technical team to decide.

“We are administrators and once a coach spots a player and he notifies us, we will then move on to try as much as possible to secure his right to play for Ghana.” He said.

GFA Is Not Monitoring Only Inaki Williams - George Afriyie

Sanctioned: FIFA Bans Real Madrid

FIFA Sanctions Real Madrid

Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have been hit by bans from football’s governing body – FIFA.

 

 

The Madrid based clubs have received the same sanction which saw Barcelona receive a transfer embargo due to irregularities over signing ‘minors’. Football’s governing body FIFA have stated that only players over the age of 18 can move clubs unless the individual meets one of three criteria.

Atletico Madrid coach, Diego Simeone

Atletico Madrid have also been hit with a £620,000 in addition to the transfer embargo whilst their Madrid city rivals, Real have been fined £250,000.

A FIFA statement read: ‘The two clubs were found to have violated several provisions concerning the international transfer and first registration of minor players as well as other relevant provisions with regard to the registration and participation of certain players in competitions.

 

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will not be able to register new players from the start of February until the beginning of July 2017.

Sanctioned: FIFA Bans Real Madrid

Review: How Ghanaian Players Fared In The Major European Leagues

How Ghanaian Players Fared In The Major European Leagues

 

The French ligue, Spanish la liga and the other leagues besides the English premier league returned fully from the holidays break. Many Ghanaian players as a result returned to league action to help propel their clubs to the top and also try retain their clubs involved in relegation battles.

 

ENGLAND

Baba Rahman was an unused substitute when Chelsea were 2-0 victors over league one opposition Scunthorpe United in the English Emrate FA cup on Sunday afternoon.

Chelsea’s left back, Baba Rahman

FRANCE

Ghana Striker, Abdul Majeed Waris continued his fine form from injury after netting his fourth goal since his return from injury. The former Red Bull academy player scored a 22nd minute goal for Lorient in their 2-2 draw at Stade Rennes on Saturday.

FC Lorient forward, Majeed Waris

Defender Dennis Appiah played the full duration of the game but could not prevent Caen from suffering a 2-0 loss away to Angers. The defeat now leaves Caen 4 – points adrift Angers who are second with 34-points.

 

Manchester City loanee and Ghana U20 star, Yaw Yeboah failed to make the Lille squad for their 1-1 home draw against OGC Nice.

 

French U20 forward and prospect for the Ghana black stars, Grejohn Kyei watched as his Stade Reims were consigned to a 3-1 home loss by Toulouse. The young forward missed the game through injury.

 

ITALY

The Italian Serie A played their second game since returning from the holidays break and saw an exodus of Ghanaian players involved in club action.

 

Isaac Cofie welcomed fellow midfielder and Ghanaian international, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu when the pair represented Carpi and Udinese respectively. Cofie’s Carpi emerged 2-1 victors over the Zebras.

Udinese combative midfielder, Agyemang Badu

Long absentee Ghana midfielder, Kevin-Prince Boateng marked his second coming as player of AC Milan when he came off the bench to play in the Rossoneri’s 1-1 draw with AS Roma on Saturday.

AC Milan returnee, Kevin Prince Boateng

Alfred Duncan travelled to his old side, Inter Milan when Sassuolo visited the Milan based side in Serie A action.

The Ghanaian versatile defender played 84 minutes and helped Sassuolo beat his former club – Inter Milan by 1-0 at the Giuseppe Meazza.

Sassuolo versatile defender, Alfred Duncan

Midfielder Godfred Donsah was an unused substitute by Bologna who succumbed to a 1-0 home loss against Chievo Verona.

 

Afriyie Acquah was not in the Torino squad for their 1-0 home loss against Empoli. Kwadwo Asamoah came off the bench during Juventus’ 2-1 away victory to Sampdoria.

 

SPAIN

Thomas Partey was not named in manager, Diego Simeone’s squadlist for Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 win away at Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Atletico Madrid hot prospect, Thomas Partey

Ghana midfielder Bernard Mensah played a cameo role in Getafe’s 1-0 win against Real Betis.

 

Winger Wakaso Mubarak played 20 minutes of the second half for Las Palmas after coming off the bench came off in their 1-1 draw with Malaga. Wakaso was booked in the game minutes after coming on.

Las Palmas, midfielder, Mubarak Wakaso

Former Asante Kotoko midfielder Michael Anaba’s name was missing in Elche’s team when they drew 1-1 with Real Valladolid.

Review: How Ghanaian Players Fared In The Major European Leagues

"Thomas Partey Deserves A National Team Call Up"-Sam Johnson

Former Black Stars defender Sam ‘Foyoo’ Johnson has called on the coaches of the senior national team to extend a hand of invitation to Atletico Madrid Ghanaian international, Thomas Partey.

Partey has been very consistent for the Spanish side all season scoring some very important goals in all competitions, with the recent being the team’s 1-0 win over Levante last Saturday.

With the African Cup of Nations qualifiers as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the pipeline for the Black Stars, Sam Johnson insists that the team can benefit from his experience.

“I think when it comes to one of the most consistent Ghanaian players abroad, Partey is one of them. For me, he has done enough to warrant a call-up into the Black Stars and I believe the coaches are aware of all this.”, Sam Johnson told sportscrusader.com in a chat.

“We all know how difficult the Spanish La Liga is, and for him to assert his influence in the team and in the league too, means that he is well cut out for greatness”.

“I will be very surprised if the next squad for Black stars players is announced without his name among the list”, he added.

"Thomas Partey Deserves A National Team Call Up"-Sam Johnson

Getafe plotting January swoop for Thomas Partey hours after shooting Atletico to top of La Liga

Getafe manager Fran Escriba has confirmed his interest in Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey hours after he shot Atletico Madrid to the top of La Liga.

Partey scored what proved to be the eventual winner in Atletico’s 1-0 win over Levante on Saturday to send the side top of the Spanish top flight.

The Ghanaian’s late strike has received a lot of press with the leading newspapers in Spain reporting on his sterling performance despite coming on as a late substitute.

Atletico only started giving the 23-year-old a fair chance in the first team this season after farming him out on successive loan spells at Mallorca and Almeria.

Their resolve will definitely be tested as early as this month with Getafe preparing to swoop for the rising Ghanaians.

Getafe manager Fran Escriba confirmed he has been tracking Thomas Partey for years but is yet to make an official offer for the Ghanaian.

“Of course he is a player that we like and that we have long followed,” Escriba said of Partey.

“He is constantly growing, but the truth is that we have not sat down to make an official offer to sign him.”

Getafe plotting January swoop for Thomas Partey hours after shooting Atletico to top of La Liga

Partey earns manager"s praise after shooting Atletico to top of La Liga

Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has earned the praise of his manager after striking late to shoot Atletico Madrid to the top of La Liga on Saturday.

The 22-year-old struck what eventually proved to be the winner against Levante with nine minutes remaining having come on as a late substitute for Jackson Martinez.

It was the first ever La Liga goal for the Black Stars hopeful as Diego Simeone’s side moved top of La Liga with Real Madrid and Barcelona having games in hand.

Simeone was delighted with the impact made by Partey, not only for his winning goal but the verve he gave the side when he came on in the 73^rd minute.

“After Thomas came in, the flow of our game looks more smoothly,” Simeone noted.

“This is an important and difficult match, but we can go home with a big smile because we are now at the top.”

Partey was promoted to the Atletico first team in 2013 having joined their youth team a year before.

He has had loan stints away at Mallorca and Almeria before returning to the side.

Partey earns manager"s praise after shooting Atletico to top of La Liga

I"ll Have My Chance With Madrid - Partey

I’m Still Learning –  Atletico Madrid Ghanaian Midfielder

Thomas Teye Partey plays for Spanish club Atlético Madrid as a defensive midfielder and the last few months in 2015 and early 2016 has been a positive and improved year for the young Ghanaian midfielder.

 

Referred to as Thomas – by his first name, Partey has been sent on loan since 2013, but the 22 year old is finally coming off age and is impressing club manager and Argentine legend, Diego Simeone scoring his second goal and a winning goal against Levante in the la liga on Saturday after earlier scoring in the copa del rey.

The Argentine manager praised for a splendid display after coming off the bench to score the winning goal to take Atletico Madrid top of the la liga table.

Partey (middle) weaving his way through the Levante defence

Simeone said, “Thomas’ goal was only his second for Atletico and the 22-year-old Ghanaian knows he has a long way to go before establishing himself in the first team.”

 

The Ghanaian born Partey after the game said, “I’m still learning. There are a lot of things which I still have to learn but with hard work, the minutes will come. I’m happy with things how they are.”

 

With such consistent performance it is just a matter of time before he gets a call up into the Ghanaian national football team.

 

 

I"ll Have My Chance With Madrid - Partey

New Boss: Manchester United Players "Expect Diego Simeone As Next Manager"

Atletico Madrid Boss Set To Replace Louis Van Gaal At Manchester United

Manchester United ‘s players are apparently readying themselves for Diego Simeone to become their next boss.

Louis van Gaal is hanging onto his job by a thread after embarking on United’s worst run since the 1989-90 season.

The Red Devils are without a win in eight matches and they have slumped out of the Champions League places – despite being top of the table just two months ago.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had been tipped as the man to take the Old Trafford hot seat if Van Gaal was sacked. The Sun newspaper reports that United’s players are of the belief that Atletico Madrid chief Simeone is leading the race for the coveted job.

Flashback: Jose Mourinho – then Chelsea coach (right) and coach of Atletico Madrid Diego Simeone (left) during a UEFA Champions League match

It would be a bitter blow to Chelsea, who has been tipped as Mourinho’s long-term replacement at Stamford Bridge for when Guus Hiddink steps down from his interim role.

 

A source close to a player reportedly said: “All the betting may be on Mourinho coming in but the talk among the players is all about Simeone.”

Van Gaal’s current contract expires in the summer of 2017 but it is believed that his stay will be cut short.

 

Atletico Madrid boss and former Argentina captain, Diego Simeone has enjoyed unprecedented success in Spain but could be poised for a move to the Premier League at the end of the season.

New Boss: Manchester United Players "Expect Diego Simeone As Next Manager"

Transfer: Luis Enrique Confirm New Signings For Barcelona In January

We Will Add Quality To The Squad – Luis Enrique

 

Barcelona coach, Luis Enrique confirmed yesterday the club will look to strengthen his squad in the January winter transfer when the Catalonia club’s ban is lifted.

 

Barca were barred from registering new players for two consecutive transfer windows in 2015 after breaking Fifa rules on the signing of foreign players under the age of 16. The Spanish coach spoke to the press yesterday as hs team prepares for a return to la liga action.

Turkish midfielder, Arda Turan signed for Barcelona from Atletico madrid in the summer of 2015

“You always have to take into account the possibility of improving the squad,” Enrique told a news conference ahead of Barca’s game against Sevilla on Wednesday in La Liga.

He added, “Anything is possible. If there are arrivals, it’s possible that there will be departures. Any players leaving will depend on us being able to reinforce the team, it’s not as if we have a very big squad. Everything is under consideration, there is still much to be done, the transfer window isn’t open yet and we have to wait. The month (January) will be long, most certainly.”

Spanish midfielder cum defender, Aleix Viidal signed for Barcelona from Sevilla in the summer of 2015

Barcelona will for the first time wear the official FIFA world club champions badge on their kit when they face Real Betis at 1930 GMT in the la liga on Wednesday, 30, 2015.

Transfer: Luis Enrique Confirm New Signings For Barcelona In January

Gossip: Chelsea Interested In Colombian Striker

Chelsea Interested In Colombian Striker Not Falcao

 

Chelsea are interested in signing Atletico Madrid striker Jackson Martinez, the player’s agent has confirmed. The Colombian has struggled to make an impact at the Vicente Calderon since a £29m switch from Porto in the summer, scoring just three goals in 12 matches.

 

The 29-year-old could be set for a January loan move to the Premier League with both Chelsea and Tottenham interested.

And his agent, Henrique Pompeo, admitted there was interest in the Colombia international but that he wanted to remain at Atletico.

“I cannot say it’s a lie,” Pompeo said when asked if there was interest from Chelsea. This is football and no-one knows what will happen in the future. What I want to say is that Jackson is not one of those who goes to a place if it is not through the front door.”

 

He added: “Jackson wants to succeed at Atletico, [and] he’s going to do it, but it’s the club who decides his future.”

New manager Guus Hiddink is desperate to strengthen Chelsea’s attack next month as he looks to revive the defending champions’ disastrous season.

Diego Costa has failed to reach the heights of last season, although he scored twice against Watford in the Blues boxing day match, while Loic Remy is yet to secure a regular starting spot.

 

Radamel Falcao is also likely to bring his torrid loan spell to an end and return to Monaco.

Gossip: Chelsea Interested In Colombian Striker