Calvin Bassey has earned rare praise for his performances at Ajax Amsterdam. A prolific Eredivisie striker Van Hooijdonk has hailed the defender as one of the toughest in the Netherlands.
The Heerenveen striker scored 16-goals to finish behind Xavi Simmons of PSV and Anastatios Douvikas on the goal-scorers chart in the Dutch top-flight.
While Sydney Van Hooijdonk flourished and received praise for his performances, Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey was at the end of constant criticism during his first season in Netherlands.
Van Hooijdonk is one of those who hold Bassey in high esteem and names him as one of the defenders he has faced in the Eredivisie 2022/2023 season.
“Bassey is often ridiculed in the Netherlands, but I think Bassey is really tough as a defender,” Van Hooijdonk told Voetbal International per Ajax Showtime.
“I know that I am certainly not the only Eredivisie striker who thinks so. Bassey is fast, strong and he looks good.”
Ajax played two games against Heerenveen last season and had Bassey on parade in both games.
In those 180-minutes, Hooijdonk found Bassey a solid opponent.
Meanwhile, Calvin Bassey could be on the move this summer. English Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion are reportedly considering a bid for the former Rangers man.