‘He went through a stormy development’ – former Oranje captain reflects on Bassey’s unsuccessful time at Ajax

Calvin Bassey scored a goal and registered 3 assists in 49 appearances in his one season at Ajax before joining Fulham for £21m this summer 

Former Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed that Super Eagles left-back Calvin Bassey’s move to Ajax didn’t work out because the club didn’t give him the necessary support, Soccernetng reports

The 23-year-old recently swapped from the Netherlands to join Fulham in England after just a season with Ajax. He has since made his debut for the Cottagers, scoring the match-winner in their 2-1 victory over TSG Hoffenheim in a friendly game.

Bassey, who was a product of the Leicester youth system, didn’t make any appearance for the club before joining Rangers on a free transfer in the summer of 2020.

The first season with the Scottish giants didn’t work out for Bassey, who was limited to only 8 league appearances for the Gers but ended with the League title as they claimed their 55th crown under former Liverpool player Steven Gerrard as manager of the club.

However, the second season proved more productive for Nigeria International, he made 50 appearances in all competitions, and his notable performances came in the Europa League helping the Light Blues to the final of the competition.

His remarkable performances for Rangers that season earned him the £20m move to Ajax, but failed to reignite his best form for the club before he joined Fulham this summer for a fee close to the same amount Ajax paid to Rangers for him last year.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who joined Rangers midway through Bassey’s second season at the club, has revealed that he helped the 23-year-old come through his early struggles at the club before he became a key player for the Gers and expected the same treatment for him at Ajax before he was shipped out of the club this summer.

When I came to Rangers he was not a starter, The former Feyenoord captain told Viaplay

I gave him the chance and he became a supporting force. He is a strong boy, is fast and is eager to learn. He went through a stormy development and there was a lot of interest, but he chose Ajax.

Expectations were high, but it was a difficult year for Ajax. That also made it harder for Calvin. He didn’t get enough of his strength and also had to solve other things, such as the build up. That was already a point of attention when he played under me. At Fulham he can now play more of his strength, He concluded

Bassey is still waiting to make his first competitive appearance for the Cottagers after he was an unused substitute in the club’s 1-0 victory over Everton in the opening game of the Premier League campaign on Saturday.