Former Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards has identified Thomas Partey of Arsenal as a possible candidate for the PFA Player of the Season award.
Partey was named by Richards as a player who might have made the cut for the BBC’s selection of six players.
Partey left Atletico Madrid for Arsenal in the summer of 2020, and he has since established himself as an important member of the Gunners.
The Ghanaian international has received recognition for his all-around skills as a defensive midfielder who can both cover for the team’s defence and participate in its attacking play.
Despite missing a number of games through injury this season, Partey’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with Richards acknowledging his potential as a player of the season contender.
In his selection process, Richards ultimately opted for two of Partey’s Arsenal teammates, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, but noted that Partey was very close to making the cut.
“Arsenal’s Thomas Partey could have been in there, and Brentford striker Ivan Toney had a shout too. Harry Kane keeps on scoring goals for Tottenham as well. Those three were very close,” said Richards.
The PFA Player of the Season award is voted for by the players themselves and is one of the most prestigious individual accolades in English football.