Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey says choosing his next club involves far more than transfer speculation, with personal happiness, career ambitions and the welfare of his family all important factors.
The former Arsenal and Atletico Madrid player discussed the way footballers assess their futures during an interview with 3Sports. Partey said players should examine their circumstances carefully before deciding whether to stay with their current club or move elsewhere.
For him, the first priority is finding a place where he feels settled, comfortable and appreciated.
“I think the first thing is, where are you happy? Where do you feel at home?” he said.
Partey also believes players must have a clear idea of what they want to achieve next in their careers. A potential move, he suggested, should be judged partly by whether a new club can help them meet those ambitions.
“What is your next objective? What do you want to achieve next? So you still have to look at all this,” he continued.
Playing time and financial rewards remain significant considerations for any footballer, but Partey stressed that decisions about a move also have consequences beyond the pitch. He said family expectations and responsibilities can influence the direction a player ultimately takes.
“At the end of the day, we all have a family that will say, ‘Oh, you need money,’ you know, because this is our mindset,” he added.
As footballers get older, Partey said, the priorities involved in changing clubs can become more complicated. Family welfare may take on greater importance, while a player’s stage of development and long-term circumstances also need to be considered.
“We are not getting younger. We are still working, so there are a lot of things you have to look at,” he stated.
The midfielder said players should think carefully about where they are in their careers, whether their families will be happy and if a prospective destination offers a secure and stable environment.
“Where are you now with the family? Where do you want your family to be happy? Where do you feel like, ‘Oh, when you go out, nobody is going to destroy your family’? So these are the things you have to look at.”
Partey contrasted that approach with the attitude of younger players, who may be more prepared to move without weighing up the wider personal implications.
“Before, when you are young, you just go anywhere,” he added.
His comments underline the range of issues that can shape a player’s decision when considering a transfer, from the desire to feel at home and make progress professionally to the need to protect family wellbeing.
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