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By Anthony Nlebem.
Former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart claims Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey does not have the attributes to play for Ajax.
It has been a difficult season for under-pressure Nigeria international Bassey, who joined Ajax for a club record £19.6m (€23m) from Glasgow Rangers last summer.
The 23-year-old enjoyed playing time under former manager Alfred Schreuder, starting in 16 league appearances and scoring one goal.
He started from the bench under interim manager John Heitinga as struggling Dutch champions Ajax picked their first win in their last five games, days after Schreuder’s exit, as they thrashed Excelsior 4-1 at the Van Donge and De Roo Stadion in their Dutch Eredivisie Division fixture on Sunday.
Former Real Madrid star Van der Vaart was the latest to join the growing band of critics of Bassey, who has struggled in Dutch football since his move.
“How is someone who played for Glasgow Rangers like Calvin Bassey going to be able to lead the defence at Ajax?
“Where was the Ajax youth system? Was there no one there better than him? Because if there isn’t then you have a major problem. Sometimes it’s better if you don’t have any money because then you don’t do crazy things. Then you wait for the right moment and occasionally take a chance. Instead, they spent €23m on Bassey. Alfred Schreuder made too many big mistakes.” Van der Vaart told Daily Record.
The Nigeria international faces a tough task to convince Heitinga and Ajax fans that he is worth the transfer fee paid to him and also a starting role at the Johan Cruyff Arena.