Tottenham Hotspur need a new defensive midfielder this summer. Spurs were porous through the middle for most of the 2024/25 season.
Without a high-level holding midfielder to screen and protect, the defence paid the price. They need a steely but controlled presence in the centre.
Yves Bissouma was error-prone, and while Rodrigo Bentancur did a serviceable job, it was clear that the club needed to head into the market to plug the gaping hole in the engine room.
Interestingly, one of the best in the business is currently available for free, and Tottenham can snap him up while angering arch-rivals Arsenal.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is set to leave the club this summer, and Spurs should be all over a deal to sign the 32-year-old free agent before other suitors pick him up.
Partey is the quality midfielder the Spurs centre is currently crying out for, and the club will be missing out big time if they are not at the front of the queue for his signature.
Partey won 4.63 out of 7.85 ground duels per 90 (59.0% win rate) in the Premier League this season.
He is not as successful in the air despite being on the taller side, but his ability to read the game on the ground makes him a top-class operator.
The Ghanaian international also recorded 2.86 tackles, 1.41 clearances, and 1.13 interceptions. He won possession 4.44 times per 90.
Manchester United legend Roy Keane has always been a fan, saying (via Sky Sports), “He’s big, strong and aggressive – and he can pass it forward. He can deal with the ball.
“I had my battles with (Patrick) Vieira, and I think this kid has got a chance of matching what Patrick used to do.”
Partey is a clear upgrade on Bissouma and Bentancur. Tottenham cannot miss this opportunity to plug a gaping hole without spending anything on a transfer fee.
Acquiring a quality player like Partey on a free transfer will allow Spurs to allocate their funds to reinforce other areas of the pitch. He should be on the Tottenham wishlist.
(Stats from Opta)