Bassey has played just 27 minutes out of a possible 290 since Heitinga took over as manager, but his boss is still impressed with his ability
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey did not start for Ajax against Twente, but John Heitinga believes he had the biggest impact despite playing just 12 minutes.
Bassey joined last summer as the club’s third-most-expensive buy. However,he has struggled to settle in.
Ajax were off-color in the first half of the season. They exited the Champions League in the group stage, and domestically, they have not exuded the dominance that they have shown in the past.
Bassey has been the scapegoat at the club, with many old players calling for his head. And since Heitinga took over from Alfred Schreuder who was sacked in January, Bassey’s time on the pitch has reduced.
The 23-year-old Nigeria defender has played just 27 minutes in Ajax’s last three games that Heitinga has overseen.
However, Heitinga Bassey impressed Heitinga when he came off the bench in Ajax’s 1-0 win against Twente on Thursday, and he was full of praises for the Nigerian after the game.
“I noticed we needed more bodies in the center rear triangle. We had that when Bassey joined Edson and Jurriën,” Heitinga said as per Voetbal international.
“We can’t continue to play physical football all season because we will also play European football soon.
“When Bassey came in he was arguably our best defender.
With his display against Twente, Bassey can fancy starting Ajax’s next game.
