Adrian Clarke looks at summer signings and what impact they will have at their new clubs.
Player analysis: Calvin Bassey (FUL)
Versatile, dual-purpose players are in demand this summer, so it no surprise that Calvin Bassey was a coveted player during this transfer window.
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The 23-year-old can play as a left-sided central defender, as a left-back, or as a left wing-back, so Fulham head coach Marco Silva will be delighted to have signed him.
Bassey joins from Ajax, where he featured six times in the UEFA Champions League last season, and he is a must-needed addition to a Cottagers squad that is currently light on available defenders.
He enjoyed a tremendous 2021/22 campaign for Rangers and should feature in Silva’s first choice starting XI as a left-sided centre-back against Everton on the opening weekend.
Press-resistant and strong on the ball
Since leaving Leicester City three years ago, Bassey has been part of two possession-heavy teams that dominated against most of their opponents.
For Rangers and Ajax he was consistently asked to play out from the back and look for progressive forward passes, often against rival sides who decided to press.
This aspect of his play has developed quickly, so Fulham have recruited a defender who will be comfortable with his distribution when put under pressure by opponents.
His passing accuracy over the past two seasons in all competitions has stayed between 83 and 91 per cent.
Passing stats*
| Statistic | 21/22 Rangers | 22/23 Ajax |
|---|---|---|
| Team possession | 64.2% | 66.7% |
| Bassey passes per match | 62.4 | 58.2 |
| Bassey pass accuracy | 86.3% | 89.0% |
*League only
Fulham only averaged 49 per cent of possession in 2022/23, but during the Premier League Summer Series they saw a lot more of the ball.
Displaying patience, they passed through the thirds with confidence across their three matches in the USA, pointing towards an approach that could be more possession-based in the season ahead.
Bassey fits that style of play well and as a left-footed player he will also bring balance to Fulham’s defensive line.
When left-back Antonee Robinson is caught out of position, Fulham’s new recruit will not be fazed at all by the prospect of being pulled out to defend wide areas.
He may also cover the USA international at full-back when he is not available for selection.
Proactive defending
Bassey’s key attributes as a central defender are his athleticism and strength in ground duels with opposition forwards.
The ex-Ajax player relishes physical contact and loves to get tight enough to make challenges.
While he did not feature as often as he would have liked in last season’s Eredivisie, Bassey did perform well in the UEFA Champions League.
Bassey's UCL stats
| 2022/23 | Total | Ajax rank |
|---|---|---|
| Starts | 6 | =1st |
| Tackles won | 10 | =1st |
| Duels won | 33 | 2nd |
| Poss. won | 39 | 2nd |
| Succ. passes | 380 | 2nd |
The Nigeria international started all six group matches, and their two UEFA Europa League contests, winning a high percentage of his duels (63.4 per cent) and tackles (71.4 per cent).
His aggression, resilience and recent big-match experience means he should be an asset to Fulham in the months ahead.
