Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey received high praise from former Netherlands international Ron Vlaar for his outstanding performance during Fulham's narrow 3-2 loss to Manchester City on Saturday.
Despite the defeat, Vlaar, who also had a successful stint in the Premier League with Aston Villa, was notably impressed by Bassey’s improvement since his time at Ajax.
Vlaar specifically highlighted the defender’s contribution in keeping Manchester City's prolific striker, Erling Haaland, off the scoresheet—a significant feat given Haaland's reputation as the league's top scorer.
Ron Vlaar impressed with Calvin Bassey vs Manchester City
Speaking on a football show, Vlaar expressed his admiration for Bassey’s development. “Bassey was excellent today,” said Vlaar.
“He made a huge impact in shutting out Haaland. You couldn’t see Haaland’s usual threat, and that’s a big credit to Bassey and [Fulham defender] Joachim Andersen.”
The defender, who played the full 90 minutes, showcased his defensive prowess with several key interventions.
He completed five vital clearances, four blocked shots, and a number of solid tackles, helping to keep Fulham competitive against the reigning Premier League champions.
Reflecting on Bassey’s growth, Vlaar drew comparisons to his time at Ajax during the 2022/23 season.
“At Ajax, Bassey struggled with confidence on the ball,” Vlaar explained. “You could feel the tension in the stadium every time he had possession—he lost the ball too often.
But now, at Fulham, he’s playing with full confidence. It’s great to see him thriving in the Premier League.”
Vlaar further noted that while the Nigerian had a tough time at Ajax, his potential was clear even then. “Ajax didn’t buy him for nothing,” Vlaar said.
“It just didn’t work out there, except for a few moments. But here in England, he’s really coming into his own.”
Bassey's stellar performance against Manchester City comes ahead of his call-up to the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Libya.
The 24-year-old has already featured seven times for Fulham in the Premier League this season and appears to be cementing his place as a key figure in Marco Silva’s defense.