Marciano Vink: Calvin Bassey ‘cannot play football’ in defence

By Olu Dare

Former Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Marciano Vink has questioned the decision to buy Calvin Bassey, claiming he lacks the ability to play in defence.

The Nigerian left Rangers for Ajax for a club record £20 million after two impressive seasons with the Scottish giants and after enduring a tough start that saw him sent off on his debut during the Dutch Super Cup defeat to arch-rivals PSV Eindhoven, he has become somewhat undroppable for the Eredivisie champions.

Vink, however, does not think he possesses the skill set required to play at centre-back for Ajax compared to the man he replaced Lisandro Martinez who left Amsterdam for Manchester United.

“If you get a player like Calvin Bassey for €23 million, then you must have watched him at least 23 times,” he told Dutch outlet Voetbal.

“If you then see that that boy cannot play football in that position, then something has gone wrong somewhere.

“If you lose Lisandro Martinez, who is very strong in the build-up, and you get Bassey back for it, then you have a problem.”

Bassey seems to have won the confidence of Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder who has kept faith in him after the club’s losses to Napoli and Liverpool in the Champions League.

The Nigeria international has rewarded his coach with not just good performances but also has four assists and a goal so far this season.

The 22-year-old will likely be among the starters as Ajax host PSV at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Sunday.