The Premier League has always had some of the best holding midfielders in world football. From Fernandinho, Rodri,N’Golo Kante, Patrick Vieira. Roy Keane and many more . This positions require tactical intelligence, composure, and consistency more than any other.
Back in August of 2023, Arsenal star currently on loan with Nottingham Forest , Oleksandr Zinchenko, was appearing on Rio Ferdinand’s FIVE podcast, and was asked to name the best holding midfielder he had played with. The response given by the Ukrainian sparked a lot of debate at the time — and still matters two years later given how careers have unfolded since.
Zinchenko did not hold back when he chose his Arsenal and Ghana teammate Thomas Partey as the Premier League’s most underrated player at that time.
“For me, if you want me to choose one player, Thomas Partey,” said Zinchenko.
Partey joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in 2020 and, after a tough period of adaptation, he established himself as an important player under Mikel Arteta. By the 2023/24 season, he was occasionally used in an inverted right-back role due to the signing of Declan Rice, but Zinchenko maintained that Partey’s overall qualities were truly world class.
In the Debate: Partey vs. Rodri vs. Fernandinho
When pressed, Zinchenko admitted the question of who is the best holding midfielder he has played with is a topic he had considered. He mentioned:
-Fernandinho – the iconic captain of Manchester City and a winner of several titles.
-Rodri – 2024 Ballon D’or winner
-Thomas Partey – Arsenal’s stronghold in midfield
At the end, Zinchenko picked Partey.
“He’s got everything,” Zinchenko said. “Rodri fits perfectly in to the City frame. You take him out, it’s a different City. He is the main detail there as, for me, it is the hardest position to play and how Rodri fits there. But for me… Thomas Partey.”
The interviewer, Rio Ferdinand, was stunned. “Wait, better than Rodri? I’ll leave,” joked Ferdinand as he was incredulous.
Fast forward to 2025, and football has given us clarity around this point:
-Rodri has gone on to be arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world, even winning a Ballon’dor to go with that legacy.
-Thomas Partey is now playing for Villarreal and has taken his experience and leadership to the league.
-Fernandinho retired long ago, although his voice still rings in City.
