Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given believes Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has what it takes to reach the level of Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
Bassey, 25, impressed during Fulham’s 3-2 victory over Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday, ending the Reds’ 26-game unbeaten run. The Nigerian defender put in a strong shift, especially against Liverpool’s top scorer, Mohamed Salah, who failed to register a shot on target.
Fulham boss Marco Silva praised Bassey’s solid display. “Calvin has all the skills to be a top central defender. He just needs to be more consistent,” Silva said.
In the match, Bassey recorded five clearances, three tackles, one interception, and a blocked shot, playing a key role in the win.
Shay Given, speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day 2, applauded Bassey’s growth and even compared his path to Van Dijk’s—both having spent time in the Scottish league before moving to the Premier League.
“Bassey has had a brilliant game and a strong season,” Given said. “He’s more confident on the ball since playing in the Dutch league. He’s in his prime at 25, strong, and enjoying his football.”
Given highlighted Bassey’s energy and flair, joking that the defender even pulled off a Johan Cruyff-style move during the game.
Then came the bold statement: “Van Dijk had a similar journey—from Glasgow to England. Am I getting ahead of myself by saying Bassey could be in that same bracket?”
Bassey joined Fulham from Ajax in 2023, having previously helped Rangers reach the 2022 Europa League final and win both the Scottish Premiership and Cup.
With Fulham pushing for a spot in Europe, Silva will be hoping Bassey keeps delivering top performances for the team.
