Back to basics is the mantra for former Ranger Calvin Bassey who has had to take a step back in order to progress at Ajax.
It has been something of a roller coaster start to life in the Dutch capital for the Nigerian international following his Summer switch from Glasgow.
Initially deployed as a first choice pick by the now departed coach Alfred Schreuder, his demise followed a pattern of poor results for Ajax which also saw Bassey struggle and come in for some heavy criticism, including that from the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Rafael Van der Vaart.
Now under John Heitinga, the Amsterdam club’s coach until the end of the season at least, Bassey has had time to take stock from the sidelines and in conjunction with hard work on the training pitch, he now feels much more equipped to make the desired impact.
As below, Sunday’s game against NEC saw him pick up the ‘king of the match’ award.
https://twitter.com/TheEuropeanLad/status/1632774156629450752
Rangers highest ever record sale stated:
“Sometimes you have to sit back down and learn again. I had to start doing extra work on the training pitch. I decided to start again.”
“While I was on the subs’ bench, I studied the way the defenders played. I spent a lot of time watching how Jurrien Timber and Edson Alvarez positioned themselves when they were in my position in defence.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I was frustrated when I wasn’t playing. But I knew it was not all about me, it was about the team and winning games. It actually helped to be on the bench for a while.”
“The manager told me to be ready when I am needed next and I was. Ajax have taught me a lot about the game. That is also the reason why I chose this club. It’s one of the best places to develop as a player.”
In a twist of fate that often transpires in football, Bassey was presented with an immediate return to Ibrox in the form of the Champions League encounters between the clubs earlier in the season.
He didn’t need to be anywhere near his best on those occasions unfortunately, but the ‘unique’ double header situation will have played a role in his up and down start with his current club.
Just over six months in, and given the rapid improvement displayed by the defensive powerhouse in the second half of last season, no doubt there is much more to come from Calvin Bassey.