Another dreaded international break will soon be upon us which brings mixed news for several of Steven Gerrard’s key men looking to contribute for their respective countries.
On one hand, Alfredo Morelos has not been selected but after a summer spent kicking his heels in the stands, perhaps some time at “home” and on the training ground won’t do him any harm as he looks to rediscover his full sharpness.
On the other hand though, Calvin Bassey has received his first invitation to join up with Nigeria, deciding to represent the Super Eagles instead of either England or the country of his birth, Italy, where he will be joined by Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun – a remarkable achievement considering he has just 23 senior appearances to his name.
๐พ๐๐ก๐ซ๐๐ฃ ๐ฝ๐๐จ๐จ๐๐ฎ ๐๐จ ๐ ๐๐ช๐ฅ๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ฆ
The 21-year-old left-back plays for Rangers FC.
Born in Italy, Bassey is eligible to play for the Azzurri as well as England. But he’s made no appearance for either at any level, and has rather opted for Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/xgPF64jhAb
โ Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) September 30, 2021
The thought of losing the three for a period of games in January and February competing in the African Cup of Nationsย is a distant thought for Gers fans who are just delighted to see another one of our players given the chance to test himself at the highest level.
Bassey daein hings ๐ https://t.co/GYrfjtNO9z
โ CJ (@cjnovo992) September 30, 2021
Going to be a Lagos City RSC at this rate ๐ณ๐ฌ https://t.co/7uz5cE2dmb
โ Ewan Keirs (@EwanKeirs) September 30, 2021
Three Rangers players in the Nigeria squad! Well done Calvin Bassey ๐ https://t.co/feS8Yhu2uN
โ James (@HeartAndHamez) September 30, 2021
Bassey called up for Nigeria team ๐๐ป
โ Jacko๐ (@jackoball_) September 30, 2021
Absolute Baller, great for Nigeria
โ Stevesie (@Steve53440541) September 30, 2021
Congratulations Calvin Bassey!! Well deserved https://t.co/VfXTkJke4h pic.twitter.com/pNfCTAWbIj
โ Kevin Geddes (@Geddes1989) September 30, 2021
It’s still hard to believe how inexperienced Bassey is – Sparta Prague performance aside – and that he will only get better by being exposed to international football, the improvements he has made in his game from last year alone are immeasurable, hopefully this will spur him on to work even harder than he already, obviously, does.