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By Ebenezer Bajela.
After putting up a Man-of-The-Match display for Ajax in their 1-0 victory over Nijmegen on Sunday, Nigeria international Calvin Bassey admitted that sitting on the bench had helped him improve his game and learn the Dutch’s style of play.
Bassey became the third most expensive signing by Ajax after his €23m transfer from Scottish club Glasgow Rangers last summer.
The Super Eagles defender was signed at a time when the Eredivisie champions were going through a transition having sold several of their key players and losing their manager Erik Ten Hag to Manchester United.
Under former manager Alfred Schreuder, the Nigerian was a key part of the team as they struggled to win matches.
After failing to win in any of their seven league games, Schreuder was sacked by the Jews, with the club’s former defender John Heitinga brought in as his replacement in January.
Bassey has, however, not seen a lot of game time since Heitinga took over at the club, as he has often sat on the bench.
However, the 23-year-old was handed his first start in the league under the new manager and he delivered a top performance as Ajax came out victorious, with Bassey eventually named the best player of the tie.
Speaking after the game, Bassey said while he had not been satisfied with his lack of game time, he used the period to learn from his teammates and improve on his game.
“Sometimes you have to sit back down and learn again,” Bassey said per Scottish Daily Express.
“I had to start doing extra work on the training pitch. I decided to start again. While I was on the subs’ bench, I studied the way the defenders played. I spent a lot of time watching how Jurrien Timber and Edson Alvarez positioned themselves when they were in my position in defence.
“Don’t get me wrong, I was frustrated when I wasn’t playing. But I knew it was not all about me, it was about the team and winning games.
“It actually helped to be on the bench for a while. For me, it is a process and a development curve. I know I can improve a lot here.
“The manager told me to be ready when I am needed next and I was. Ajax have taught me a lot about the game.
“That is also the reason why I chose this club. It’s one of the best places to develop as a player.”
Ajax have won their last six Eredivisie games and are second on the league table, just three points behind leaders Feyenoord.