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Calvin Bassey’s “best position” should be played by Ajax – Muhren

Published

2 years ago

August 3, 2022

Fahuyost (ANE Staff)

Calvin Bassey in the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt

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Calvin Bassey played in a strange position during his debut before he was given a red card after 16 minutes.

Ajax legend Arnold Muhren has advised his former club to play Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey in his best position ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Bassey made his debut for Ajax in an ill-fated match against PSV Eindhoven in the Johan Cruyff Shield on Saturday at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

The Nigerian international got sent off just 16 minutes into his debut after a reckless tackle on Moroccan midfielder Ismael Saibari in the 78th minute.

Bassey plays as left-back against PSV

During Bassey’s brief stint on the pitch against PSV, the 22-year-old played as a left-back with Netherlands international Daley Blind remaining in the centre-back position.

Muhren told Daily Record that he found it interesting that Bassey was played as a left-back against PSV Eindhoven when his preferred position is at centre-back.

The former Ajax midfielder said: “Obviously, I can’t judge him based on that 14 minutes until he got a red card. But I found it remarkable that he started to play left back when he came on the field and that Daley Blind remained in the centre.

Bassey should play as centre-back – Muhren

Bassey played in a pre-season friendly against Almere City the following day where he reprised his role as a centre-back with Muhren admitting that the centre of defence is Bassey’s best position.

“I think Bassey has mostly played central at Rangers and when he played in that friendly against Almere City, he was in the heart of the defence. So I think that is definitely his best position,” Muhren concluded.

Bassey completed a £23m transfer from Rangers to Ajax this summer transfer window after impressing during the 2021/22 Scottish Premiership and UEFA Europa League campaigns.