FootyDream

During a recent interview with TalkSPORT, Black Stars coach Chris Hughton addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding Thomas Partey’s potential move to Saudi Arabia and its implications for his future with the Ghana national team.

The midfielder has been at the center of transfer rumors, with a possible move to the Saudi Pro League this summer being heavily discussed, especially after Arsenal’s signing of Declan Rice from West Ham for a record fee.

Despite performing well in Arsenal’s title pursuit last season, Thomas Partey faced tough competition for his position and lost his starting spot to Jorginho.

However, when asked whether a move to Saudi Arabia would impact Partey’s status with the Ghana national team, Hughton expressed confidence in the player’s experience and abilities. He mentioned that the key factors are regular playing time to maintain fitness levels and the league in which the player competes.

“No [it wouldn’t]. Thomas is an experienced player. [He] had a wonderful season at Arsenal last season,” he said.

“Firstly, it’s about playing. Players that are going to be playing regularly so they keep up their levels of fitness. And of course, it’s [also] about the league that they are playing,”

In essence, Hughton’s stance implies that Thomas Partey’s international future with the Black Stars would not necessarily be jeopardized by a move to Saudi Arabia. What matters most is that he continues to play regularly to stay in top form and that the league he joins offers a suitable competitive environment for his development and performance.

Ghana’s coach, Chris Hughton, has addressed the possibility of convincing Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi to represent the Black Stars in international football.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has been eyeing both players for quite some time, attempting to persuade them to switch nationality and play for the West African country, especially in preparation for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Although Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi have featured for England’s junior teams, they are still eligible to play for Ghana. However, despite their struggles to earn call-ups to the English national team, the decision ultimately lies with the players themselves.

Chris Hughton acknowledged the complexity of the situation, drawing a parallel to his own background as he was born in England to an Irish mother and Ghanaian father. He revealed that there have been positive dialogues with Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi, indicating the ongoing efforts to bring them into the Ghanaian fold.

Both players possess immense talent, and Hughton emphasized that their previous involvement with England’s under-age national teams makes their decision to represent Ghana understandable.

While Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi have shown promise, their opportunities with England’s senior team have been limited, partly due to tactical considerations. Hughton mentioned that Hudson-Odoi’s lack of game time in a wingback role impacted his playing opportunities. However, he expressed hope that regular game time in the upcoming season could reignite the interest in representing Ghana for the young winger.

“Particularly, I think it is understandable because I was born in England to an Irish mother and a Ghanaian father,” he told talkSPORTS.

“Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi are players that have played for England for the under-age national teams so some of these are understandable.

“We have been in contact with them (Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi) not only during my time as the head coach so I think it is a process and ultimately, it will be about both of them making that decision that they want to play but we have been in good dialogue with them but some of these things are understandable.

“Two very good players. Hudson-Odoi did not play the amount of games he would have liked but it was all down to the system they played. Three at the back so it means he would have to be deployed as a wingback so hopefully, I just hope he plays regularly in the upcoming season and maybe that could get the process start again,” he added.

In summary, Chris Hughton and the GFA have been engaged in constructive discussions with Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi about potentially playing for Ghana, but the players will ultimately decide which national team they wish to represent.