'He has the skills' - Fulham coach says Bassey has capacity to be a very good centre-back

Fulham manager Marco Silva has expressed unwavering confidence in Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey, hailing the 23-year-old center-back as a potential top-tier talent.

Bassey, who made the switch from Eredivisie giants Ajax Amsterdam to Craven Cottage in the summer of 2023, has seamlessly integrated into Silva's setup, racking up an impressive 40 appearances across all competitions for the Cottagers under the 47-year-old.

The Nigerian international's sole goal in his first season at Fulham came in a thrilling encounter against Manchester United.

Last season, Fulham secured a respectable 13th-place finish in the Premier League, with Bassey playing a pivotal role, starting 25 league matches. 

His impressive performances have caught the eye of his manager, who is convinced of Bassey's ability to be a top defender in the future.

"Calvin had an impact last season." Silva acknowledged in quotes relayed by BBC Sport.

"He has the skills, ability and talent to be a top central defender. I really trust him. I really believe he has the capacity to be a very good central defender. He has everything."

A youth product of Leicester City's esteemed academy, Bassey has continued to build on his promising start to the current season, already accumulating eight appearances for Fulham.

Boasting 28 international caps for Nigeria to his name, the versatile defender is in contention to feature for the Cottagers as they lock horns with Everton later today.

Ejim Kaycee

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