It is no surprise to Edwin van der Sar that Calvin Bassey has not yet reached the level of Lisandro Martínez at Ajax. Last summer, the team from Amsterdam paid a minimum of 23 million euros to Rangers to keep the 22-year-old defender. However, both supporters and various analysts criticized the English defender in the first half of the season.
When Bassey came to Ajax in July, he was a direct replacement for Martínez, who earned a top transfer to Manchester United for approximately 57 million (excluding bonuses). The fact that Bassey has not yet made as much of an impression as his Argentinian colleague does not come as a complete surprise to Van der Sar. “Lisandro Martínez was a top defender with us last season, on the field and also in the dressing room,” Ajax’s general director says to Football International. “You know you can’t just catch him.”
“Calvin also has qualities, but will still have to improve to get to that level. That is very logical, and Martínez also had that development with us. Just think of two years ago, when Martínez spent a lot of time on the bench It takes time to grow, it is not fair to judge Bassey directly on the level of Martínez,” said Van der Sar, who indicates that Ajax prefers to continue to perform at the highest possible level. According to him, the many changes in the selection have only ensured that this is ‘not easy’.
Van der Sar refuses to reveal whether Ajax will strengthen the selection during the winter transfer window. “Some things have already been set in motion. I expect a few changes in the selection, but that is still difficult to predict at the moment. That depends on several factors, and there is now also a World Cup in progress. Some guys play there is also in the spotlight again, that’s how it always goes. On the other hand, there are also players around with us who you have to give perspective to get more games. If not with us, then elsewhere.” On Wednesday afternoon it was announced that Kik Pierie will at least finish the end of the season on a rental basis at Excelsior.