Ghanaian youth midfielder Thomas Partey
Avram Grant has been criticised for being slow to mixing things up, and unadventurous with his team selections.
One of the cards he delayed in playing in the disappointing 1-1 draw with Rwanda on Saturday, was Atletico Madrid star Thomas Teye Partey, a player who featured in the Champions League final for Diego Simeone’s side only a few months ago.
When the 23-year-old eventually entered the fray, he moved the ball with guile and created openings for the Stars’ attacking players.
It made you wonder what the outcome would have been had he started the game.
This was Partey’s second cap, but he is yet to start a game, a fact which highlights Grant’s conservative approach to introducing new faces.
The youngster’s style is such that he can possess the ball, zip past opponents and release his team mates through the channels, an essential attribute that was sorely missing in the game against Rwanda.
Admittedly, he is young and new to the team, and surely must be bedded in gradually, but again how would we know if his contribution wouldn’t be greater from the get go, if he isn’t given an opportunity to start?
Ahead of the friendly against Russia, Grant must let his hair down for a change, and surely Partey must be at the party from the start!
