There is a calmness that comes across very clearly throughout our conversation. Samuel Zigah is not one whose feathers are easily ruffled, and it is not hard to see where that quality can come in handy. The Ghanaian journalist serves as Public Relations Officer for Thomas Partey, a position he officially took up during the most hectic period of the midfielder’s career yet. His story with Partey, however, begins much earlier before the hurried events of last October’s transfer deadline day.
Samuel Zigah and Thomas Partey grew up in Ashaiman, a suburb of Accra, Ghana’s capital city. How early did he realize that Thomas wanted to be a footballer, I ask him; the answer is accompanied by a light chuckle, “Everyone wanted to be a footballer; we all looked up to the local players who made it into the Ghana Premier League. We wanted to be like them.”
As members of a local team, Samuel and Thomas were thrust into the harsh and slightly unforgiving world of youth football. “It was a very competitive environment,” he says, “There were about 20 very talented and versatile players on the team.”
Even at that age, Thomas Partey’s qualities were very apparent, a central midfielder who was very comfortable on the ball, crunching in the tackle with a knack for delivering excellent set-pieces. “I wouldn’t say one was better than the other,” he mentions when I ask who the superior player on those Ashaiman pitches was, “We had different qualities, and we complemented each other well. As a winger, it was a joy to play with him; he would constantly put you in behind the defence.”
In so many cases, talent is not enough to take young players to the top and many are forced to give up their dreams. “You may have aspirations, but life has a way of gifting you something different,” Samuel notes as he reminisces about his very early desires to make it as a professional player.
Eventually going on to do a degree in journalism, his and Thomas Partey’s paths diverged. They both became young adults attempting to break through in challenging industries. At this point, Thomas Partey had made his way to Spain and was on the books of Atletico Madrid. However, he was playing for Los Rojiblancos’ B team.
In 2012 Thomas Partey made his debut for Atletico Madrid’s B team in the Segunda Division. He went on to make 33 appearances, a sign of the incredible consistency he would show throughout his stay in Spain. Between 2012 and 2016, Partey would play for Atletico B, Real Mallorca and UD Almeria in the Spanish second tier before making the step up to Atletico Madrid’s senior team for the 2016/17 season.
Meeting on social media during Partey’s period in the Segunda, the two friends attempted to catch up on their lost years. With both of them making positive strides in their respective fields, it was an exciting period to rekindle what had been a strong friendship. After Thomas Partey broke into the Atletico Madrid senior team, Samuel saw an excellent opportunity to practice some of the skills he had picked up in his nascent media career.
Interviewing his friend was an exciting experience, but Zigah realized that his friend had matured immensely. “His analysis of the game, the manner in which he spoke showed a really deep understanding of football that was remarkable.” The most impressive thing though, was Partey’s patience, “He was going to work hard and wait for his chance to come, this together with his talent assured me that he was going to make it to the top.”
With his reputation growing in Spain, it was only a matter of time before he made his debut for Ghana national team. Avram Grant handed him that much desired first cap in 2016 against Mauritius. Moving forward, it was only a matter of time before Thomas Partey became a fixture in the Atletico Madrid side; he kept improving and earning the trust of Diego Simeone. With Gabi departing in 2018, the opportunity arrived for Partey to cement his place as one of the most integral figures in Simeone’s midfield.
The Ghanaian midfielder had waited in the wings; now his time had come. His performances were extraordinary in the following season and only continued to improve. In the strange 2019/20 season, Thomas Partey was as consistent as ever, his quality becoming more apparent with every game he played in. These displays probably peaked right before the pandemic-induced break. Two absolutely imperious performances against Liverpool, the reigning Champions League winners, still at the peak of their powers, brought him widespread acclaim.
His passing, tackling and composure against one of the best midfield units in the world, on one of the biggest stages – fair to say – did a decent amount to boost his status as one of the best midfielders in the world. Atletico Madrid eventually bowed out of the competition against Leipzig, but Partey’s stock was as high as it had ever been. Then came the transfer window.
“I had been doing the work as his publicist for a period by that time; all that was left was for it to be made official,” said Sam Zigah of the time he was officially announced as Thomas Partey’s Public Relations Manager.
The rumours had just begun to gain momentum and the swarms of Arsenal fans were delighted to have another inbox they could pour into and push their “Come to Arsenal” agenda. “Random people began to appear in my messages on social media, it was a lot to deal with but I was prepared; it comes with the job.”
The rumour mill continued gaining momentum throughout September but as October began to creep into view, the question changed from “when” to “if”. “It was in Partey’s camp that I realized the extreme importance of calmness, not getting ahead of yourself because things can change at any time.”
There was palpable tension on social media when Monday, 5th October rolled around. Transfer deadline day, the last throw of the dice, the final chess move. Would Arsenal make the move? “That day is one I will never forget; I was running on adrenaline throughout! I didn’t even have time to eat a meal,” Zigah says of that fateful day, smiling, “It is a good memory though, for a little period, I knew something millions of people wanted to find out.”
Many different outlets were attempting to get information about the transfer, he recalls, “They were trying in some very interesting ways.” Eventually, the release clause was paid, the papers signed, and the move completed. “It was a hectic day, and then boom; the move was done and Thomas was going to Arsenal.”
One very heartwarming detail is that Samuel Zigah is a Gooner himself. Eventually posting the news that Thomas Partey would be an Arsenal player was a double positive for him as a member of Partey’s team and a lifelong Arsenal fan. “Finding out that Thomas is going to be playing for the club I have supported since I was a child, it’s a very surreal feeling.”
The expectations are high and Thomas Partey has shown many moments and games of a very high standard. “We all hope, that Thomas can help take Arsenal to where they need to be.”
“Sometimes it feels like a dream,” Samuel Zigah says, being in the inner circle of such an accomplished football player, and more importantly, being able to assist a close friend.
For Arsenal fans, the Thomas Partey dream has just begun and they will hope it doesn’t end anytime soon.