'What a performance' - Fulham boss backs Bassey to be a top CB after impressive display v Arsenal 

Fulham boss Marco Silva was on media duties shortly after his side beat Arsenal 2-1 in a Premier League game at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon and one of the topics he touched on was the performance of Calvin Bassey. 

Bassey marked his twenty-fourth birthday in style with one of his best performances in a Fulham shirt following his move from Ajax Amsterdam in the summer of 2023.

The Nigeria international played a key role in the Cottagers' equalizer as it was his tackle in the middle of the pitch that led to the move leading to Raúl Jiménez's goal in the 29th minute.

Once Fulham took the lead through Bobby De Cordova-Reid just before the hour mark, the Leicester City academy product was alert to snuff out the danger posed by the Arsenal forwards. 

Silva has highlighted the qualities of Bassey and suggested that the left-footed player can be a marquee center back in the coming years given his attributes. 

"Calvin Bassey, what a performance. It's his birthday, it's a nice way to celebrate his birthday but what a performance from him," Silva told reporters. 

"He's really growing, it just shows that we took the right decision when we signed a player like him. He's a player with great skills to be a top central defender in the future.

"Right now he's a very good central defender. We believe that if he keeps improving and understanding what we want from the game, he's going to be a very, very good central defender for many years in this football club because he's strong, quick, has quality on the ball."

After helping Fulham beat Arsenal for the first time in twelve years, Bassey and his international teammate Alex Iwobi will now turn their attention to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Silva has hinted at Fulham delving into the January transfer market to compensate for the absences of Bassey, Iwobi and Senegal international Fodé Ballo-Touré.

Silava continued: "He's always open with the right mindset to learn, to listen, to improve every single day.

"I'm really pleased for him. Unfortunately we are going to lose him for a long time because he's going to the Africa Cup of Nations.

"We are going to lose three important player and lets see what we do in the market because it's going to be important for us."

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com