Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey is once again the subject of criticism over his movement and positional play at Dutch Eredivisie side Ajax Amsterdam.
UCL
Give Calvin Bassey popcorn, he is always watching football - Boulahrouz attacks Super Eagles star
Boulahrouz slammed the Super Eagles defender, saying that he almost falls down if he trues to turn
Calvin Bassey and Ajax are having a tough time (IMAGO/ANP)
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The latest in the line of criticism comes from former Chelsea and Netherlands star Khalid Boulahrouz after Ajax's clash with Napoli in the UEFA Champions League.
Ajax have lost back-to-back matches to Victor Osimhen's Napoli with Wednesday's 4-2 second-leg defeat following a 6-1 dismantling from the previous week.
I expect more from a defender - Boulahrouz on Calvin Bassey
Bassey played the full 90 minutes in both legs as Ajax conceded 10 goals against a rampant Napoli side led by Giacomo Raspadori and Giovanni Simeone in the attack.
Speaking on the first-leg 6-1 defeat, Boulahrouz pointed out that Bassey was guilty of ball-watching, stating that he expected more from the Super Eagles defender.
Calvin Bassey had a quiet game as Ajax lost 2-1 to AZ Alkmaar
Imago
The former Chelsea defender told Ziggo Sport as reported by Ajax Showtime: "Last week Bassey was mainly watching football, only the popcorn was still missing. You expect a bit more from a defender there."
I thought Bassey was a fierce defender - Boulahrouz
Boulahrouz, who was nicknamed 'The Cannibal' admitted that he thought Bassey was a 'fierce' defender who knows how to close players down but he has seen that the former Rangers star is 'heavy on his feet.'
However, the 40-year-old ex-international admitted that despite all the criticisms, Bassey needs to be given time to work and improve especially after such heavy defeats against Napoli.
"I had him in my mind as a fierce opponent, a fierce defender, who is close to the man. He looks very heavy on the feet," Boulahrouz said.
"The twisting and turning, he almost falls backwards. That's something I don't like about him. On the other hand, it's not like I want to finish it all here.
"I also want to be critical, but you have to give him time. Only if you have to take such a defeat, you hardly get the time, because Ajax wants to hibernate."
Ajax will try to get back to winning ways when they host 12th-placed Excelsior in the Dutch Eredivisie on Sunday, October 16.
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