Dutch pundits Wim Kieft and Freek Jansen have slammed Calvin Bassey’s performances for Ajax this season following the defender’s move to the Dutch giants from Rangers this summer.
Speaking on Voetbal Inside via Football Scotland, the critics both tore into the Nigerian international’s form this campaign with the Dutch side after a rough start to the season with Ajax, with Bassey starting in their recent 6-1 loss to Napoli in the UEFA Champions League.
Although the defender scored his first Ajax goal this weekend in a 4-2 win against FC Volendam, fans and pundits have not been too impressed with what they have seen from Bassey this season, with many supporters not pleased with how little they have got from their new £23m signing.
Bassey was one of Rangers’ best players last campaign as the Scottish side made it all the way to the UEFA Europa League final. However, pundits Kieft and Jansen have been far from impressed with what they have seen from the 22-year-old, who is seemingly running out of time to prove his worth in Amsterdam.
Kieft said on watching Bassey for Ajax: “Calvin Bassey playing football hurts my eyes. Apart from his lack of quality on the ball, he is above all very rash. Physically, he is fine, but Ajax cannot play the dominant game they like with him in the team.”
Jansen added on the former Rangers star: “With Bassey, you can already conclude that Ajax has paid far too much for him. Given his current qualities, it would have made more sense to pay five to ten million Euros for the transfer. He still has a long way to go when it comes to football, but maybe that will still happen.”
Bassey’s transfer to Ajax will work out in time
Bassey has endured a rough start to life at Ajax. Yet it is hardly a surprise that the defender has been signalled out for criticism when so much has changed at the Eredivise champions over the summer, with the club losing their manager and two key players to Manchester United.
Indeed, Bassey has moved from one of the easiest leagues in Europe for defenders to one of the most difficult. And whilst there have been teething problems, there’s no denying that the Nigerian will one day become a star for the Dutch giants if they keep persisting with the versatile centre-back.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
