18th January 2025 King Power Stadium, Leicester, England Premier League Football, Leicester City versus Fulham Calvin Bassey of Fulham passing the ball forward. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
Super Eagles and Fulham defender, Calvin Chinedu Bassey, has shared his angle for the reasons footballers clamour for extra wages in their contracts, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 25-year-old has been rock solid at the back for the Cottagers this season, putting in improved performances from the last. Bassey has missed just one game for Fulham this season, simply due to a suspension.
A versatile defender, capable of playing as a central defender and as a full-back, Bassey has had the tussle of experiencing the English and Nigerian culture on several levels.
In a recent interview, the former Ajax defender revealed culture is a huge reason why footballers consistently request improved contracts.
Speaking for himself, the former Rangers man revealed his family is at the centre of his heart with every action he takes, admitting he requests more financial incentives because he has to take care of his people.
“When I look at my wage, half isn’t mine. Half is like, for my mum, brothers, who I’ve got to look after. I can’t speak for every other culture, but you know with the African culture, we’re all about taking care of our families, and I have to do the same.
“I have to think of my family back home and what I can do to help them out, so, as mad as it sounds, two to three thousand pounds a week can make a difference with looking after more people. That’s why I feel like as players, we always want more. Not necessarily for ourselves or to live a flashy life but because we have people we look out for and that is a very important factor,” the AFCON 2023 finalist said.
Fulham are currently 10th on the English Premier League table, and need to string some wins together if they’re participate in European tournaments next season.