Ghanaian players to watch in Europe this weekend

We took a look at the most tantalizing weekend fixtures from across Europe, and put together a list of Ghanaian players who we think need to be watched closely.

Daniel Amartey [Chelsea vs Leicester City]

It will be interesting to see how the Ghanaian international gets a run out for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at Stamford Bridge. . Amartey will cross swords with the player he has been handed the task of trying to replace at Leicester City, N'golo Kante when Chelsea host the Foxes in the English Premier League. Amartey has slotted in the 'Kante role' well for Claudio Ranieri's team, averaging 1.5 and 1.2 in comparison to Kante's 4.7 tackles and 4.2 interceptions per game at Leicester last season respectively. Nampalys Mendy remains on the sidelines with an ankle injury so Amartey is expected to continue in midfield.

Emmanuel Agyemang Badu [Juventus vs Udinese]

Udinese will play away to league leaders Juventus on Saturday at the Juventus stadium, and Agyemang Badu will be desperate to start against the defending champions. The Ghana international will travel with newly appointed manager Luigi Del Neri who takes his Udinese side to former club Juventus, in a meeting between two teams with contrasting fortunes. Juventus top the Serie A on 18 points after 7 games, whiles Udinese lie 16th on 7points. Badu was in action for Udinese when they caused a huge upset in the first game of the 2015-16 season here, but that remains the only victory in their last 10 meetings, home and away. The rest of that tally reads two goalless draws and seven Juve wins.

Abdul Baba Rahman [Augsburg vs Schalke 04]

Defender Baba Rahman will make an emotional return to Augsburg, the club he played for before securing a big money move to Chelsea last season. The 22-year-old left back has been impressive for the ROYAL BLUES and will be hoping for a good outing when his team travel to Augsburg

Christian Atsu [Newcastle vs Brentford]

It was a bit surprise to see Matt Ritchie rested down at Rotherham United last time out, but his replacement Christian Atsu grasped his opportunity and scored a wonderful winner at the New York Stadium. Both are exciting attacking options, though they offer different attributes - Ritchie is inventive, while Atsu has blistering pace.

Interestingly, Ritchie appeared to struggle on international duty with Scotland, while Atsu was not at his best for Ghana, so who is Benitez likely to opt for against Brentford on the right-wing?

Or could Benitez even try to find room for both in his starting XI?

Thomas Teye Partey [Atletico Madrid vs Granada]

Atletico Madrid and Granada will play their eighth game of the La Liga season at the Estadio Vicente Calderón on Saturday, 15th October. Diego Simeone's side had taken league leadership from cross-city rivals Real Madrid after going on a two-game winning run while Los Blancos were held to three straight drawn matches. Granada on the other hand is one of only two clubs that are still winless so far this season, and it will be games like this that Partey is likely to play a big part. Simeone is likely to rest his key players for their UEFA Champions Leagueclash against Rostov on Wednesday, hence and opportunity for Partey to stake his role in the side.