‘His strength was not used there’ – Former Oranje captain reflects on Bassey’s unsuccessful stint at Ajax

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

Former Netherlands International, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, has commented more on Super Eagles left-back Calvin Bassey’s brief stint at Ajax Amsterdam, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 48-year-old former Rangers boss had earlier said that Bassey failed to succeed in the Eredivisie because he didn’t get the necessary support from Ajax.

Bassey joined the former European champions in a deal worth £22m after helping Scottish giants Rangers to the final of the UEFA Europa League but failed to settle down with the Dutch side before he was sold to Fulham this summer.

The former Leicester City youth product scored his first goal for his new London club in their 2-1 friendly win over TSG Hoffenheim in a friendly game a few weeks ago.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who joined Rangers midway through Bassey’s second year at the club, has come out again to defend his former player, backing what he had said earlier: the Nigeria International was not provided the environment to excel at the Dutch club.

He hasn’t had a good year, his former coach acknowledged. 

I joined Rangers in November and he immediately became a starter because of his defensive qualities. Fast, Physically strong in the duels. He played in his power. That’s why the player was sold. I was not happy that he left, but I understood the club, the former Feyenoord captain said on Tuesday to RTL 7, as quoted by FCUpdate. 

The Dutch manager commented further that he thought the move to Ajax would be a big step and believes it didn’t work out because the 23-year-old was not used to the best of his ability.

He added: Ajax has had a difficult year. Not just Bassey. At Ajax he was not able to play his strength. It is also easier to get into a well-running team. But also, with me, we were already working on his constructive qualities. 

He is always critical and wants to improve. But it did not turn out what I hoped for him. I thought he would do better.

Bassey will hope to get his second Premier League appearance for Fulham this weekend when they visit Emirates Stadium to play London rivals Arsenal.