“He is making progress”- Ajax boss backs Super Eagles star to fly at Amsterdam

The Nigerian defender has gotten a lot of criticism since he arrived from Rangers in the summer, but his coach believes he will come good in the long run 

Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder has expressed belief in Calvin Bassey’s quality, and he has backed the Nigeria international to come good for Ajax.

Ajax signed Bassey from Rangers during the last summer transfer window in a deal worth €23million.

The Nigeria international was brought in to replace Manchester United signing Lisandro Martinez. However, life in Amsterdam has been exactly rosy for the former Leicester City lad.

Ajax have been uncharacteristically shambolic defensively. The Godenzonen have conceded 28 goals in 18 games across all competitions.

Bassey has been the subject of criticism, with some former Ajax players faulting the club’s decision to sign him.

However, according to Sofascore, Bassey is the highest-rated defender at the club.

Ajax coach Schreuder has jumped to Bassey’s defense, stating that the former Rangers star has shown sparks of promise, and he needs more time to get to his best.

 

I am developing a team and we want to go in a certain direction. I now choose Calvin Bassey and Jurrien Timber in central defense,” Schreuder said as per Voetbal Primeur.

“I don’t think it [buying Bassey] has to do with quality alone. Calvin is certainly making enormous progress, although he certainly has to defend this ball better with Luuk de Jong. He has to gain that experience in matches.”

“That time is not so great at Ajax, I know, but we have to do this. This is something that we have to go through. The players learn from this and that’s why it’s nice that we play again on Wednesday.”

 

Ajax’s current predicament is not much of a surprise, as they lost most of their first team players during the summer.

Antony, Martinez, Sebastien Haller, Ryan Gravenberch, Noussair Mazraoui, and coach Erik Ten Hag are some of the top stars that left the club.

It was always going to take some time for the team to gel and for them to return to their best.

Still, Bassey and his teammates would look to get their best to prove their critics wrong.