Ex-Eagles back Bassey amid criticism

By Daily Sports Nigeria on February 21, 2023

Ex-Eagles stars have thrown their weight behind Nigeria internationals Calvin Bassey amid heavy criticism since he joined Ajax for a club record £19.6m (€23m) from Glasgow Rangers last July, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Bassey has come under scrutiny from Dutch legends Wesley Sneider, Rene Van der Gijp all questioning the signing of the Nigerian defender.

The 23-year-old enjoyed playing time under former manager Alfred Schreuder, starting in 16 league appearances and scoring one goal.

The defender has struggled for game time since John Heitinga took over from Schreuder.

In one of his criticisms of the Nigerian, former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart claimed Bassey does not have the attributes to play for Ajax.

“How is someone who played for Glasgow Rangers like Calvin Bassey going to be able to lead the defense at Ajax?

“Where was the Ajax youth system? Was there no one there better than him? Because if there isn’t then you have a major problem, ” Van der Vaart told Daily Record.

Also, former Ajax star Sneijder had called on Ajax former manager Alfred Schreuder to bench the Nigeria international.

“You have Bassey who can’t build up, (Jurien) Timber who isn’t doing well and then you don’t have a controlling midfielder who wants to build up. Then it becomes quite difficult in the build-up and you don’t get to play football,” Dutch media outlet Soccernews quoted Sneijder.

Meanwhile, former Nigeria internationals Mutiu Adepoju, Ike Shorunmu and Dosu Joseph have come out to back Bassey noting that he is a good player.

Adepoju also noted that Ajax were convinced that Bassey was a good player before splashing the cash on him.

“If Bassey has been playing and Ajax see him as a good player, definitely he is a good player, probably at the moment, he is not having a very good time and maybe he is having some psychological problem that is affecting him, that could be the reason he is not performing well, but we should not judge that he is a bad player or not good enough, “ Adepoju told PUNCH Sports Extra.

“Anything can happen to a player that can make him not play well. Bassey has gotten to that level, definitely he is a good player, but if he is not playing well now, that does not make him a bad player. He needs to up his game and continue working hard and prove his critics wrong.”

Super Eagles assistant coach, Shorunmu says Bassy might need to adapt to the new lifestyle in Holland to keep fit.

“Before a club signed a player from another club, they have already seen him play at Rangers.

“Sometimes when a player is being criticised, we need to look at the past and present of what is going on with the player,” Shorunmu told PUNCH Sports Extra.

Dosu says though that Bassey is yet to replicate the form that made Ajax buy him for a record fee, it does not mean that the Nigerian defender is not good enough for the Dutch champions.

“Ajax saw him play for Rangers and that is why they bought him. They did not just watch him for one game, they kept watching him and they knew is a player that can play for the team, Dosu told PUNCH Sports Extra.

“Players will make a move and the move might not be a successful one, not just because the player does not know how to play, but maybe the pattern of the coach is different from what is used to. All these things take time when you join another team, it takes time and patience.

“They have seen him play and know how good he is, but his move to Ajax is not working yet, but that does not make him a bad player.

The Atlanta ’96 gold medalist however advised Bassey to remain focused and continue to work hard.

“All he needs to do is to concentrate on his training, keep on working and be determined to prove himself once he gets his opportunity.

 

Source Punch Ng

Posted February 21, 2023


 

You may also like...
Fanless Games Resemble Training Sessions, says United’s Matic...

Nigeria fans want Okocha out of retirement

Ambrose: Mikel Will Be Key for Nigeria at...

Eke praises teammates for BAL form

Chelsea Set To Battle Lille For UCL Second...

NFF set to sack two coaches, to appoint...

 

Latest News Nigeria beat Cameroon to reach IHF final 27 schools for Doregos Basketball Championship Super Falcons to play France’s Les Bleues in friendly SWAN suspends ban on coverage of Anambra FA activities Joshua among boxing’s top three earners in 2024 Oshoala makes history with Bay FC Nnamani hails team over IHF bright start Flamingos lift U-17 W’Cup Fair Play Trophy Rangers Intl, SWAN partner on sports collaboration in SE LAGOS SWAN CELEBRATES AIG ZONE 2 ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND 30 DAYS IN OFFICE Traders Cup: Upholstery Soccer Team Secured 2nd Win To Advance To Round Two Lagos SWAN Celebrates Oba Akiolu, Iyaloja General, AIG Fayoade

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,141 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,269 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,350 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (43,991 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,931 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,879 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,718 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,289 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,333 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,035 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,489 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,916 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media