Connect with us
X
Categories:

Sports

Calvin Bassey’s display against Liverpool marked the debut of a world-class defender

Published

on

Calvin Bassey's display against Liverpool marked the debut of a world-class defender
Share this post:

DOWNLOAD MP3 SONG

Calvin Bassey cut his teeth at the highest level of football in Ajax’s defeat against Liverpool and didn’t look out of place.

Ajax lost 2-1 to Liverpool at Anfield in a UEFA Champions League group stage game in what was a spirited display for the visiting underdogs.

One of the central figures on the night was Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey, whose performance polarised fans and divided opinion.

On one hand, he didn’t cover himself in glory with both goals Ajax conceded and on the other, Bassey excelled in pretty much everything else on the night.

Calvin Bassey had a good game but was quite visibly shaken at first which is understandable as this was arguably the biggest game of his career.

The Nigerian international could have prevented Liverpool’s first goal with a little more positional awareness but he was naive at that moment which led to Mohamed Salah getting a great chance in the Ajax box which was smartly converted.

Bassey was also outjumped and beaten in the air by Joel Matip to score Liverpool’s second which is why some might believe he didn’t play well.

But statistically speaking, the 22-year-old was one of Ajax’s best performers on the night in a display that may have just established him for good on the biggest stage.

As earlier stated, this was probably the biggest game of football Calvin Bassey has ever been involved in and that is despite the fact that he put up a man-of-the-match display for Rangers in the Europa League final just about four months ago.

But playing for a big team (both historically and presently) like Ajax against an even bigger team like Liverpool in the biggest club competition in the world is as grand as it has ever gotten for Bassey, albeit in the group stage.

This was a new level for him and he cleared it, proving that he can indeed handle the pressure and scrutiny that comes with mixing it with the elites of European football.

The chance to play at this level was part of the allure for Bassey in leaving Rangers (another Champions League team) to join Ajax and being able to not just cope but excel in games like these is proof that he really does have the potential to be an elite defender.

The Nigerian played in central defence at Anfield as he has done multiple times for Ajax this season under manager Alfred Schreuder.

Bassey was rated 7.4/10 by Sofascore, the second-highest rating for any Ajax player, bettered only by goalkeeper Remko Pasveer.

The 22-year-old had 79 touches of the ball which was the most by any Ajax player and only bettered by Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in the whole game with 85 touches.

Bassey’s performance was defensively sound as he had five clearances and tackles each, three interceptions, blocked two shots and was only dribbled past once in the whole game.

The left-sided defender won five of six ground duels and completed five out of nine attempted long balls in what was a good individual performance.


Get More Stories Like This On: Facebook: @AllNaijaEntertainment, Twitter: @AllNaijaEntertainment
Chief Oyerigha Echo Toikumoh - The Earlier The Better
Music4 weeks ago

[Music] Chief Oyerigha Echo Toikumoh – The Earlier The Better

Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta stated they will not take Pep Guardiola's place at Manchester City
Sports4 weeks ago

Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta stated they will not take Pep Guardiola’s place at Manchester City

Alan Shearer reckons Liverpool star is ‘not going to get better’
Sports4 weeks ago

Alan Shearer reckons Liverpool star is ‘not going to get better’

NECO examiners threaten nationwide protest over unpaid entitlements
News4 weeks ago

NECO examiners threaten nationwide protest over unpaid entitlements

Jonathan congratulates Trump on historic election win
News4 weeks ago

Jonathan congratulates Trump on historic election win

Peter Obi can become president in 2027 — Yunusa Tanko
News4 weeks ago

Peter Obi can become president in 2027 — Yunusa Tanko

Dua Lipa forced to cancel show after ‘unforeseen safety issues’
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Dua Lipa forced to cancel show after ‘unforeseen safety issues’

Uzoamaka Onuoha wins Best Female Performance in a feature at AFRIFF 2024
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Uzoamaka Onuoha wins Best Female Performance in a feature at AFRIFF 2024

'Phoenix Fury' bags Best Film award at the 13th edition of AFRIFF
Entertainment4 weeks ago

‘Phoenix Fury’ bags Best Film award at the 13th edition of AFRIFF

Vivo begins teasing new Dimensity 9400 flagships internationally
Technology4 weeks ago

Vivo begins teasing new Dimensity 9400 flagships internationally

Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro may trade performance gains for longer battery life
Technology4 weeks ago

Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro may trade performance gains for longer battery life

Manchester United players warned ‘only one is safe’ under Ruben Amorim
Sports4 weeks ago

Manchester United players warned ‘only one is safe’ under Ruben Amorim

Austin DeAnda given impromptu makeover after he is forced to have haircut in the middle of fight
Sports4 weeks ago

Austin DeAnda given impromptu makeover after he is forced to have haircut in the middle of fight

IG orders punishment for errant cops
News4 weeks ago

IG orders punishment for errant cops

Be ready to recover stolen mandate — Ighodalo tells PDP
News4 weeks ago

Be ready to recover stolen mandate — Ighodalo tells PDP

No part of Ogun will be ceded under my watch — Dapo Abiodun
News4 weeks ago

No part of Ogun will be ceded under my watch — Dapo Abiodun

Ruger calls out auto tune and hype culture in music
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Ruger calls out auto tune and hype culture in music

I hate to play same role repeatedly — Actress Bimbo Akintola
Entertainment4 weeks ago

I hate to play same role repeatedly — Actress Bimbo Akintola

Fans split on Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy's Grammy nominations.
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Fans split on Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy’s Grammy nominations

Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim: Leaker reveals launch details for Samsung's rival iPhone 17 Air
Technology4 weeks ago

Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim: Leaker reveals launch details for Samsung’s rival iPhone 17 Air

Realme names first smartphone to get Android 15 beta worldwide
Technology4 weeks ago

Realme names first smartphone to get Android 15 beta worldwide

England interim manager tipped for surprise Premier League job
Sports4 weeks ago

England interim manager tipped for surprise Premier League job

Hakim Ziyech mocks Israeli supporters attacked in Amsterdam
Sports4 weeks ago

Hakim Ziyech mocks Israeli supporters attacked in Amsterdam

Court jails seven for internet fraud in Kaduna
News4 weeks ago

Court jails seven for internet fraud in Kaduna

Edo APC criticizes Obaseki’s last-minute appointments
News4 weeks ago

Edo APC criticizes Obaseki’s last-minute appointments

Edo PDP announces caretaker committee
News4 weeks ago

Edo PDP announces caretaker committee

Tems makes history after securing 3 nominations for the 67th Grammys
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Tems makes history after securing 3 nominations for the 67th Grammys

Beyoncé surpasses Jay-Z to become the most nominated artist in Grammy history
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Beyoncé surpasses Jay-Z to become the most nominated artist in Grammy history

Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Asake make 2025 Grammy nominations
Entertainment4 weeks ago

Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Asake make 2025 Grammy nominations

Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Asake make 2025 Grammy nominations
Entertainment4 weeks ago

2025 GRAMMY: Academy unveils category changes ahead of nomination event

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Final Episode 13)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 12)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 11)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 10)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 09)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 08)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 07)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 06)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 05)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories4 weeks ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 04)

ANE Billboard Hots



Join "ANE sabi" clique

Don't miss a thing, get ogbonge ANE latest updates to fuel your conversation daily.