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Calvin Bassey ‘on the ball is like Bambi on ice’ – ex-Ajax winger Perez
By Olu Dare
Former Ajax Amsterdam winger Kenneth Perez has slammed Calvin Bassey’s ball-playing abilities.
The Super Eagle has been the subject of criticism from Ajax’s former players since he signed for the club in the summer transfer window from Scottish side Rangers.
Perez, who had two stints at Ajax between 2006 and 2008, is the latest to make his feelings known about the Nigerian defender whom he feels is out of his depth and still ‘not good enough’ to turn out for the Dutch giants.
“It’s very mediocre on the ball, Bambi on ice. It’s almost pathetic. Of course, they let him [Bassey] go completely free, so he has to come up with an idea,” he told ESPN as quoted by Ajax Showtime.
Bassey seems to have become one of the fall guys whenever Ajax underperform with the latest criticism coming after Ajax’s 2-2 home draw against Vitesse Arnhem on Wednesday. The defender was also cited for his mistake in his club’s 2-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven on Sunday as well as the Champions League when they succumbed to defeats against Liverpool and Napoli.
The Super Eagle has, however, received the backing of his coach Alfred Schreuder who has said he ‘is making enormous progress’ but still needs time to realise his true potential. Schreuder has not lost faith in Bassey whom he has selected in 17 straight matches despite the criticism.
Ajax are away to FC Emmen on Saturday in what will be their final Eredivisie match before the World Cup break and the defender will be looking for a good performance as his sides seek to bounce back to winning ways.
