Bassey shines as one of EPL's top defenders, says Arbeloa

Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has praised Nigerian player Calvin Bassey for his strong performance in Sunday’s match against Manchester United at Craven Cottage.

Bassey started the game and played the full 90 minutes as Fulham fought back to earn a draw with a late equalizer. He was also part of Fulham’s first goal, regaining possession before pushing forward and accidentally putting the ball into his own net.

Even though his initial shot was saved and there was an own goal by Lisandro Martinez, Arbeloa appreciated Bassey’s overall effort. He noted Bassey’s solid defensive work and calmness on the ball, which helped Fulham’s performance against United.

“Calvin is one of the best defenders in the Premier League; he plays at a high level with and without the ball. He is doing so well,” Arbeloa said after the match.

This performance came as Fulham continued to look for their first Premier League win under Arbeloa this season. Fulham took the lead in the second half, but Manchester United equalized late when Matheus Cunha’s shot took a deflection before going in.

Even though his team lost the lead, Arbeloa was happy with the overall effort and specifically highlighted Bassey for his strong display. The Fulham manager also pointed out the mix of young talent and experience in his squad, mentioning Nigeria international Alex Iwobi alongside Bassey.

Bassey’s performance is a great boost for him with the international break coming up, and Arbeloa’s praise shows how important he is becoming to the Fulham team.