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Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has emerged as one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season, with statistical data highlighting his exceptional contributions to Marco Silva’s side.
Bassey has been a mainstay in the Fulham defence, making 23 Premier League appearances and amassing 2,070 minutes on the pitch. While his overall performances have been widely praised, a deeper look into the numbers reveals just how dominant he has been in key defensive areas.
According to data from Pro Football Focus, no centre-back in the Premier League this season has a higher Ball Carry Grade than Bassey, who leads the category with a score of 82.9.
This metric, which evaluates a player’s dribbling, carrying ability, and resistance to tackles, typically favours midfielders, making Bassey’s ranking all the more impressive. His score places him among some of the league’s elite ball carriers, including James Maddison, Moisés Caicedo, and Youri Tielemans.
Fulham have conceded 32 goals this season—ranking ninth-best in the league—and Bassey has played a major role in maintaining their defensive solidity.
The 24-year-old ranks third among centre-backs in tackling with an impressive grade of 85.0, placing him fifth overall in the league. He has won 37 tackles and successfully defended against 20 dribbles, boasting a 44% tackle success rate (13th overall) and winning 59% of his duels against dribblers (seventh overall).
Bassey has also been effective in aerial duels, registering a grade of 79.3, ranking him 28th among centre-backs. He has won 48 aerial duels this season, displaying his strength in physical battles and his ability to dominate in the air.
Bassey has flourished in Fulham’s backline, playing a crucial role in a team that sits ninth in the league after 24 matches.
He has played every minute of 23 EPL games this season, missing only one due to suspension.
The Cottagers have also progressed to the FA Cup fifth round, where they will face Manchester United after edging past Wigan Athletic.
