“It is a blessing” – Nigeria’s most expensive defender revels in Eredivisie debut

The Super Eagles defender delivered an accomplished display in his league now for the Dutch champions

Ajax Amsterdam defender Calvin Bassey has reacted to making his Eredivisie debut in his side’s slim 1-0 win at Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday.

It was Ajax’s third straight league win of the season, but Bassey missed the club’s first two games against Fortuna Dusseldorf and Groningen due to suspension.

The Super Eagles full-back was sent-off only minutes into his competitive bow for Ajax in the Super Cup loss to PSV Eindhoven.

But Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder threw him back into the mix of things in Rotterdam on his return.

Impressively, Bassey did not look out of place despite being deployed as a centre-back.

The former Glasgow Rangers ace delivered an excellent performance that got the fans to praise him.

What has Bassey said?

After the encounter, Bassey appreciated coach Schreuder and his teammates for helping him to settle in.

And the Nigeria international has vowed to adapt to Ajax’s style of play in subsequent games.

“I thank God, the team, and the manager that he fielded me,” Bassey told Ajax Show Time.

“It is a blessing to make my starting and league debut for this club. I keep working to improve every game. I’m trying to learn and get better.

“It’s about different positioning, the spaces and which passes we want to give. Of course, the game looks different from the side than it does from another perspective. They try to help me and make it easier for me.

“Ajax is known for tiki-taka football. You have to move into other rooms to receive the ball. It’s about learning and building connections with the team. I have to learn what certain players feel comfortable with. We have to work on it every day.”

Bassey became Nigeria’s most expensive defender in history when he joined Ajax from Rangers for over €23 million last month.