Villarreal boss Marcelino says Thomas Partey is “ready” to face Tottenham in the Champions League despite the midfielder’s pending court appearance in London this week.
Thomas Partey is expected to feature for Villarreal when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with manager Marcelino insisting the midfielder is prepared “mentally and technically” for the clash.
The 32-year-old joined Villarreal from Arsenal in August, just days after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to alleged offences between 2021 and 2022. Partey denies all charges and is due at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday.
Marcelino backs Partey ahead of Spurs clash
Speaking in his pre-match press conference in London, Marcelino confirmed that Partey is with the squad and available for selection.
“I am totally convinced that he is mentally prepared and technically prepared to play tomorrow night. For sure he will be ready. We are very happy Thomas is with us for his football capacity, football ability and his presence as a human.” — Marcelino
The Villarreal coach was also pressed on the reception Partey might face in north London given his Arsenal past and the ongoing case. Marcelino responded:
“We’re interpreting stuff about and talking about a player that could be totally innocent. We’re playing a game of football tomorrow where the important thing is football.”
Court proceedings continue
Partey, who has been granted conditional bail, is set to appear at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. His lawyer Jenny Wiltshire previously stated that he “denies all the charges against him” and welcomes the opportunity “to finally clear his name.”
Squad view
Villarreal defender Juan Foyth, formerly of Tottenham, acknowledged that Partey may face hostility at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:
“Of course he played at Arsenal so the atmosphere will be against him, for sure.” — Juan Foyth
Thomas Partey 2025/26 season snapshot (La Liga)
| Stat (La Liga 2025/26) | Thomas Partey |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 4 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Passing Accuracy | 87% |
| Ball Recoveries per game | 1.3 |
| Interceptions per game | 0.8 |
source: Sofascore – 15 September 2025
Summary: Thomas Partey has played 4 La Liga matches for Villarreal this season, completing 87% of his passes. He has averaged 1.3 ball recoveries and 0.8 interceptions per game, though he is yet to register a goal or assist.
Analyst verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William says Partey’s football contribution should not be overlooked despite the headlines:
“On the pitch, Partey has been steady if unspectacular in his first month with Villarreal. The passing accuracy of 87% shows he’s keeping possession well, but his defensive metrics are modest compared to his peak Arsenal years. Marcelino is backing him heavily, and matches like Tottenham away will be a real test of whether he can still dominate at Champions League level.”
Key insights
- Partey is expected to play for Villarreal vs Tottenham in the Champions League.
- Marcelino says he is “mentally and technically prepared” for the game.
- The Ghanaian midfielder faces multiple charges in London but denies all allegations.
- He is due at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, the day after the match.
- Villarreal signed him in August following his Arsenal exit.
What’s next
Villarreal meet Tottenham in a crucial Champions League group stage clash on Tuesday night before Partey attends court the following morning. Marcelino has made clear that the focus for his squad remains football, but media attention will inevitably remain on the Ghanaian midfielder both on and off the pitch.
👉 How will Thomas Partey’s return to north London play out — both on the field against Spurs and off it in the courtroom?
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