Bassey has fought his way back into the starting lineup at Amsterdam, but he did not impress much in Ajax’s last game against Feyenoord
Former AC Milan legend Marco Van Basten has criticized Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey for his nervousness whenever he had possession of the ball in Ajax’s 3-2 loss to Feyenoord in De Classic.
Bassey has enjoyed a topsy-turvy start to life in Netherland since his transfer from Rangers last summer. The versatile Super Eagles defender was a constant starter at the club when Alfred Schreuder was the coach of the team.
However, it did not work out well for Bassey, as the team was constantly leaking goals. The former Rangers man was constantly attacked by ex-players for his inability to play the ball well.
After a stuttering first half of the season, the Dutch kings decided to part ways with Schreuder.
Heitinga took over the reins from Schreuder in January. And since then, Ajax’s fortunes have improved.
For Bassey however, he has had to bid his time. He started from the bench in Heitinga’s first five games in charge. But he has clawed his way back into the starting lineup in Ajax’s previous four games.
However, the last one ended badly as his side lost 3-2 to Eredivisie rivals Feyenoord on Sunday.
Van Basten, who played for Ajax was highly critical of the 23-year-old after the game.
“This should not be,” Van Basten said per Ajaxshowtime.
“Bassey does everything in his power not to have the ball, he plays it as quickly as possible.
“He was completely lost. He didn’t know where to walk and he didn’t know whether to walk.’
Bassey is currently in camp with the Super Eagles ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau. He would look to improve when he returns to Ajax as they make a late push to retain the Eredivisie title.
