It’s A Privilege’ — Calvin Bassey Opens Up On Captaining Fulham

Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has described captaining Fulham as a “privilege” after wearing the armband in the club’s opening three Premier League matches of the season.

According to Ireporter Online, the Nigeria international assumed the captaincy after regular skipper Tom Cairney suffered an injury, giving Bassey the opportunity to lead the team at Craven Cottage.

The 26-year-old centre-back, who is entering his fourth season with Fulham, said his strong relationship with his teammates has made the leadership responsibility easier to handle.

Bassey explained that his position as a central defender naturally requires him to communicate with teammates and organise those around him, making the transition into the captaincy a relatively smooth one.

“It’s a privilege. Being able to captain this club is unbelievable,” Bassey said.

He added that knowing his teammates well has also helped him settle into the role, stressing that he intends to remain himself while supporting the team.

Bassey also revealed that taking on the captaincy has not changed his personality. Rather than becoming more vocal or confrontational, he prefers to maintain a calm and positive attitude, particularly before matches.

The defender said he focuses on creating a positive atmosphere within the squad and encouraging his teammates to approach games with the right mentality.

Bassey further explained that he understands the frustration that can follow disappointing results and believes players sometimes need time to process their emotions before discussing what went wrong.

According to him, he prefers allowing his teammates to cool off before engaging them in conversations about poor performances or results.

The Nigerian international said the team’s players give their best on the pitch and that setbacks are part of football, making it important to maintain a positive mindset even when results do not go as expected.