Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has been a surprising absentee from the starting lineup in recent weeks, but former Super Eagles star Victor Ikpeba believes there is no cause for alarm.
The Nigerian centre-back, who had been ever-present for Fulham earlier in the season, was again left on the bench during their dramatic 3–2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Bassey only came on in the 86th minute as the Cottagers chased a late equaliser.
Speaking on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football, Victor Ikpeba offered a calm and practical explanation for Marco Silva’s decision, pointing to fatigue and the relentless football calendar.
Ikpeba suggested that Silva may simply be protecting Bassey after a demanding run of games that included international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Maybe fatigue, I don’t know. Maybe he had some issues. It happens sometimes. These players are not machines,” Ikpeba said.
He added that modern football leaves very little room for recovery, forcing managers to rotate even their most trusted players.
“Maybe the manager feels that Calvin needs a little bit of a breather because the games are coming simultaneously. Sometimes the players need some breaks.”
Before departing for AFCON with Nigeria, Bassey had featured in every Premier League match for Fulham this season, quickly establishing himself as one of Marco Silva’s most dependable defenders.
His absence since returning from international duty has raised eyebrows among fans, but Ikpeba’s comments suggest it is more about squad management than form or discipline.
With Fulham preparing for their next league clash against Everton, Bassey will be hoping to reclaim his place in the starting XI and continue the strong performances that made him undroppable earlier in the campaign.
For now, the message from Ikpeba is clear: patience. In a season packed with fixtures, rotation is not a punishment — it’s protection.
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