Calvin Bassey, Fulham’s defensive powerhouse, has singled out Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah as the toughest opponent he has encountered since stepping into the Premier League.
In a relaxed Best Friend Test interview with Sky Sports, which he shared with his Nigeria teammate Alex Iwobi, Bassey revealed that Salah, the Egyptian football legend, had proven to be a nightmare for defenders. “Mohamed Salah is unbelievable. He’s such a baller. When you get dragged out to defend him, you’re in trouble,” Bassey said, giving an insight into the difficulties of facing one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards.
Bassey, who has played against Salah multiple times since joining Fulham in 2023, explained that when Fulham face Liverpool, they often set up with a half-man-for-man system, placing him directly opposite Salah. “Obviously, when we play Liverpool, we usually go half man-for-man, so I’ll often face him directly. I’ve played against him twice, and he’s always a handful,” the 24-year-old centre-back explained, reflecting on his tough encounters with the Egyptian.
The Nigerian defender, who has earned recognition for his tenacity at the back, also acknowledged Salah’s remarkable contribution to African football. “Salah is a three-time PFA Player of the Year, and what I will say is that he’s done some unbelievable things in the game. He’s also helped promote African football. I’m not saying Yaya Touré didn’t, but I feel like in this generation, Salah has had a bigger global impact,” he added.
While Salah has scored four goals in ten appearances against Fulham, this season, the two are yet to meet on the pitch. Nonetheless, Bassey’s admiration for Salah highlights not just the difficult battles on the field, but also the broader significance of Salah’s influence in raising the profile of African football.
