"I'm totally convinced that he is mentally prepared and technically prepared to play, Marcelino said. For sure he'll be ready. We are really happy that Thomas is with us for his football capacity and ability and his presence as a human. He's a great player with lots of experience. He's played in some top sides. We know he's got a great ability and great level. I think he ended last season and started this season well."
"Marcelino was peppered with questions about Partey by English journalists at Villarreal's pre-match press conference, at one point exclaiming that we are talking more about Thomas than the game. Marcelino sought to steer the conversation on to the football. We're interpreting stuff and talking about a player that could be totally innocent, he said. We're playing a game of football tomorrow where the important thing is football. This is where football was invented, after all."
Thomas Partey is due to appear at Southwark crown court on Wednesday over five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to incidents reported by three women between 2021 and 2022. Villarreal play Tottenham on Tuesday and Partey, who joined Villarreal in August after five years at Arsenal, is part of the squad in London. Manager Marcelino declined to confirm selection but insisted Partey is mentally and technically prepared to play and praised his football ability and experience. Journalists pressed Marcelino, who urged focus on the match and noted the player could be innocent.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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