'Arguably our best defender' - Ajax new coach plays down Bassey's bench role 

New Ajax Amsterdam coach John Heitinga has played down Calvin Bassey's bench role in recent matches. 

The Nigeria national teamer has dropped down the pecking order of defenders since the appointment of Heitinga as Ajax coach, failing to start any of their last three games, including Thursday's 1-0 win at Twente in the KNVB Cup. 

Under dismissed coach Alfred Schreuder, Bassey was one of the first names on Ajax's team sheet having started 23 consecutive matches in all competitions.

The Leicester City academy product replaced Kenneth Taylor with fourteen minutes left on the clock against Twente as Ajax sought to defend a narrow 1-0 lead. 

Explaining why Bassey was brought on, Heitinga said at the post-match press conference, according to Voetbal International : "At that moment you are forced to the back and you have to defend a lot of balls from the flank and a lot of standard situations.

"I noticed we needed more body in the center rear triangle. We had that with Edson, Jurriën and Calvin."

Ajax have a busy schedule coming up with five games in two weeks, including two Europa League matches against Bundesliga side Union Berlin.

Heitinga has not written off the chances of Bassey returning to the starting lineup. 

" But it does not mean that we will continue to play in this composition all season. We will also play in Europe soon.

"Calvin comes in and is arguably our best defender. Especially with Jurrien in the back. He can play very well there."

Bassey became the most expensive Nigerian defender in history when he switched to Ajax from Glasgow Rangers last summer for an initial fee of 23 million euros. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : ajax.nl

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