Former Rangers standout Calvin Bassey has been slammed after Ajax suffered their heaviest ever European home thrashing following Napoli's stunning 6-1 triumph.
While Rangers were losing at Liverpool, the Serie A leaders were wiping the floor with the Dutch champions in Amsterdam in the group stages. And Ajax 's central defence, featuring £19 million summer signing Bassey, is at the centre of scrutiny in the Netherlands. Dutch legend Marco van Basten was fiercely critical of their recruitment policy after spending £95 million this summer having brought in £190 million from player sales.
He said: "Let's be honest here, 6-1 was a massacre. To be outclassed like that by Napoli is unacceptable. Yes, they are a good team, but even so. Look at their transfer business and the amount of money Ajax have received. They've spent 100 million Euros, but on what? The only players who are actually playing are Calvin Bassey and Steven Bergwijn. The transfers have been strange and crazy. There's something not right there."
And former Ajax hero Marciano Vink said: "Calvin Bassey's predecessor, Lisandro Martínez, was great at passing and reading the game. From the first moment I watched Bassey on his debut against Almere City, I was shocked at how bad his passing was. I believe that he is very strong and that he is powerful in the tackle, but at Ajax, something more is demanded, especially if you want to play the passing game.
"To blame everything on Bassey is a bit harsh, but I think he is typical of the scouting and purchasing from the club. When he gets the ball, there is no danger to an opponent. He has to improve quickly."
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