Former Dutch International Backs Bassey To Bounce Back

Former Dutch International Roy Makaay has thrown his weight behind Nigeria’s Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey to regain his form.

Bassey joined the Dutch Eredivisie club Ajax Amsterdam last summer after a successful spell with the Scottish club Glasgow Rangers.

After showing splendid form in his early days in the Dutch League, Bassey seems to have lost his form and he was on the bench in the last two games.

“Yes, I think so. I was able to experience him up close for a year and saw him develop enormously that year. He went from left back to central defender. He’s very strong and fast.

“He is a boy who plays better and better when he has more confidence. I now see that he is struggling, but that also makes sense. Of course, there is a lot of criticism of him. You know that criticism is part of a club like Ajax.

I’m sure he can be of value to Ajax with his qualities. Of course, he still has to develop on the ball, but he had a fantastic year last year.” Hans Kraay Jr added: “I never feel sorry for football players, but I do feel sorry for him sometimes. We judge him on the things he doesn’t have, namely the qualities in possession.

“He can head excellently, is super fast, can cover well. Ajax has also seen that, so use it that way and don’t use it as a left-back in the build-up. This boy can’t help it that he didn’t grow up in the Ajax school”, he told Dutch TV.