Calvin Bassey was a shrewd Rangers buy, but for Ajax, things haven’t quite gone to plan.
A trophyless season, and a record breaking one too for the big Nigerian.
With no wins against AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord or PSV Eindhoven in the league, Calvin Bassey has been part of a record breaking Ajax team for all the wrong reasons.
It is the first time in their long and illustrious history that they have failed to beat their closest rivals.
At Rangers, the 23-year old was part of a record breaking defence, then he played a key role in getting to Seville.
Bassey’s versatility at left-back, left centre-back or on the left of a back three saw Ajax pay a possible £23m for the former Leicester City academy player.
A difficult first season in the Eredivisie has seen Bassey come under intense scrutiny as he looks to find his feet and adjust to a new style of play and new expectation.
Rangers found a gem in Calvin Bassey
Bassey always had the odd mistake in him and he may not be in the same form that saw him named in the Europa League team of the season, but it’s still been enough for an unnamed Premier League team to reportedly make a £20m bid.
A fee that would see circa £2m make its way to Ibrox via a sell on clause.
What the former Gers number three taught us is that there are gems in the Premier League’s Under-23 set up, and that buying English can pay off in the long run.
Just because they aren’t good enough for England’s top flight, it doesn’t mean that Rangers can’t polish them into a good player.
Not every promising signing will come off or be as big a success but, given the outlay, they are worth the gamble.
Charlie McCann is a great example of a player that was deserving of a chance but his upbringing at Man Utd and then Rangers meant that we were still able to collect a fee for someone who he barely kicked a ball for the first team.
Calvin Bassey will come good, he’s too good and too hard working not to plus, Ajax can’t be as bad again next season, can they?
