Black Stars deputy captain, Thomas Partey wants to see international players of Ghana descent to commit to the Black Stars, ahead of this year’s world cup in Qatar.

A number of players including Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, Brighton right back Tariq Lamptey, Chelsea midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi as well the Inaki Brothers of Athletic Club, are rumored to be close to making a nationality switch after intense work by the Ghana Football Association.

Partey, who was only recently enstooled as development chief in the Odumase Krobo traditional area, believes that the Black Stars will be a much-better unit with their integration, though they cannot be forced into making their decision.

“Everybody has their career, you can’t push somebody to do something they are not ready to do so if they come, they are welcome because we really need them, we need all the players – everyone ready to play for Ghana, we need them and we are very much happy to receive whoever is ready to play for Ghana,” Thomas Partey said exclusively to JoySports.

The Black Stars, currently involved in the qualification round for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, have a record of a win and draw in two games. A dominant 3-0 home win over Madagascar sent the Black Stars top of Group E before a frustrating draw with Central Africa Republic in Luanda.

The Arsenal midfielder, who sat out both games after only recently recovering from injury, expressed desire to see the Black Stars get back to the team of old. 

“They played very well, good team performance, everybody did their job. In the end, we won which is the most important and we have to continue winning to get more wins.”

Up next for the Black Stars is the four-nation tournament in Japan where they will face Chile, Japan and Tunisia.