Fulham manager Marco Silva has showered praise on Nigerian international Calvin Bassey following his stellar performance in the club’s 3-2 triumph over Liverpool at Craven Cottage. The 25 year old centre back was instrumental in neutralising Mohamed Salah this season’s Premier League top scorer with 27 goals limiting him to zero shots on target throughout the contest.
Bassey, who rejoined the starting XI after being benched in the previous match against Arsenal, registered three tackles, one interception, five clearances, and a blocked shot, underpinning Fulham’s solid defensive effort. The result was one of the standout individual performances of the weekend.
Speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day, Silva expressed his admiration “Calvin has all the skills to be a top central defender. He ticks all the boxes to be a top, top player. Now he has to be more consistent.”
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Since signing from Ajax in 2023, Bassey has impressed with his physical presence, composure under pressure, and tactical intelligence. Silva’s comments suggest that while the potential is evident, maintaining this level week in, week out is the next step in the Nigerian defender’s progression.
Fulham will now look to Bassey to maintain this high standard as the season enters its crucial phase.
Editorial
Calvin Bassey’s performance against Liverpool wasn’t just good it was commanding. In a match where every defensive lapse could have been fatal, Bassey stood tall against one of the most prolific attackers in world football. To keep Mohamed Salah silent is an achievement few defenders can boast.
For Marco Silva to publicly declare Bassey’s readiness to become a “top, top player” is significant. The Fulham coach doesn’t hand out compliments cheaply. And Bassey deserves it. His athleticism, game reading, and timing were on full display, showing that he’s not just a physical presence but a thinking defender.
But as Silva wisely noted, consistency remains the defining challenge. The Premier League is unforgiving. A single great performance can build reputation stringing them together builds a legacy. If Bassey can continue to deliver performances like this, he won’t just be among the best in the league he’ll be a cornerstone for both Fulham and the Super Eagles.
The timing of his resurgence is also perfect from a Nigerian perspective. As the national team prepares for upcoming qualifiers and tournaments, a fully fit and confident Bassey will be invaluable. And if he continues like this, his name won’t only be sung at Craven Cottage it’ll echo across Europe.
Did You Know?
- Calvin Bassey began his professional career at Leicester City but never made a senior appearance before joining Rangers in 2020.
- He played every minute for Nigeria at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
- Bassey is one of the few Nigerian defenders to have played in the Scottish Premiership, Eredivisie, and Premier League before the age of 26.
- He was named in the UEFA Europa League Team of the Season in 2021/22 after helping Rangers reach the final.
- Since joining Fulham, Bassey has completed more passes under pressure than any other defender at the club.
