Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston backs Caleb Yirenkyi to seamlessly replace Thomas Partey in World Cup opener

Former Black Stars midfielder Laryea Kingston has thrown his weight behind young FC Nordsjælland midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, declaring him the ideal candidate to fill the void left by Thomas Partey in Ghana’s crucial FIFA World Cup Group L opener against Panama.

Ghana will be without vice-captain Thomas Partey for the crucial encounter after the midfielder was denied entry into Canada, the host nation for the match, due to ongoing legal allegations of rape and sexual assault. Despite pleading not guilty to the charges, the former Arsenal star was unable to secure the necessary visa to travel with the squad, leaving head coach Carlos Queiroz searching for alternatives in midfield.

Kingston, who knows Yirenkyi intimately from his coaching days at the prestigious Right to Dream Academy, has no doubts about the youngster’s capabilities. Speaking to Joy Sports, the former Ghana international revealed he worked closely with Yirenkyi for three years, promoting him from the U15s to the U18s. He expressed frustration that the player has not been used in his best role, stating, “They are playing him out of position.”

“For me, he is a holding midfielder,” Kingston asserted. He explained that while Yirenkyi has developed into a dynamic box-to-box midfielder who can drive forward and get closer to the opponent’s box, his natural home is in the middle of the park, where he can dictate the flow of the game.

Kingston highlighted the player’s work rate and technical ability, attributes honed through the Right to Dream system. “He works hard and he is very good on the ball because he was well brought up,” Kingston said. He added, “I gave him the opportunity at the U18s and he took it, so for me, the best position is in the midfield. I think he will replace Thomas Partey very easily.”

The 20-year-old Yirenkyi, a product of the Right to Dream Academy, has quickly established himself as a key figure for FC Nordsjælland in the Danish Superliga. His composure on the ball, defensive awareness, and ability to dictate play from deep positions have attracted attention from across Europe, including reported interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid. He has also been compared to legendary Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien for his versatility and dynamism.

Yirenkyi recently underscored his growing influence within the national team setup by scoring Ghana’s only goal in a recent warm-up match, showcasing maturity and intelligent positioning.

While Partey is expected to rejoin the squad for Ghana’s second group match against England in Boston, Kingston believes Yirenkyi is the perfect solution for the immediate challenge. The Black Stars will conclude their Group L campaign with a final fixture against Croatia in Philadelphia as they aim to secure a place in the knockout stages.