New signings are usually the players in the spotlight when teams get their season underway particularly if they are signed for big money. The pressure is usually heavy on the said players to deliver from the get go.
It gets worse when the players have slow start and that is much the case with Nigeria international defender Calvin Bassey who was signed by Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam for huge money.
He started his stint at the club by getting sent off in the Dutch Super Cup, and as expected critics wondered if he is worth the huge amount of money spent in signing him from Scottish side Rangers.
According to Ajax legend Frank de Boer, critics of the Nigerian are now being forced to eat their words with his strong performance in three straight games, which has seen the defence keep three straight clean sheets.
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“I’ve been really impressed by Bassey,” De Boer told Record Sport. He added: “He was unlucky to be sent off in the Super Cup. He started the game well and we have already had the people who thought he was just a big lump, charging around kicking people, changing their opinions.”
De Boer went further to explain the extra thing that Bassey brings to the team of the Dutch giants. He was particular about his strength and pace which to him makes it impossible to drop him.
“He gives Ajax strength and speed and on the ball he’s alright. Of course, he can still improve on that part of his game but I think he showed in the last few games that he’s undroppable. Together with Jurrien Timber, they make a great couple in defence.”
Bassey is in contention to make his UEFA Champions League debut against the team he left in the summer and De Boer says they won’t be happy he is up against them.
“Rangers won’t be looking forward to meeting him again. I thought he was one of the best players in the Europa League final, he was unbelievable.”
On his ability on the ball which is what still remains a weakness in the game, the Ajax legend says it’s a matter of time before that area which is his weakness will disappear.
“He’s still very young so it’s a great signing for Ajax. He has some rough edges but Ajax is the perfect place to polish those up. He’ll come under the wing of Daley Blind and be taught the Ajax philosophy, which is to play the ball along the ground and make combinations.”
“I’ve seen a lot of defenders come to this club with what we call hard feet. But by the time they leave they have soft feet. Calvin is still young and he’s capable of learning that.”
