Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has identified Fulham defender Calvin Bassey and Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero as the most difficult defenders he has encountered during his professional career.
The Nigeria international, who has faced a number of elite defenders while playing for clubs across Europe, singled out the two Premier League players during a recent interview with River Rhodes.
Osimhen reserved particular praise for fellow Nigerian Bassey, describing the Fulham defender as one of the finest defenders currently playing in the English top flight and the best in Africa.
“I will say, Calvin Bassey. First of all, in training. That guy is very strong. I think currently he’s actually the best defender in Africa and of course one of the best defenders in the Premier League,” Osimhen said, as shared on Instagram.
The striker also spoke highly of Argentina international Romero, acknowledging the Tottenham defender’s intelligence and ability to make life difficult for attacking players.
“Also, Romero of Spurs – he’s actually a very intelligent defender. He gave me a hard time when we met.”
Osimhen’s comments come after several years competing at the highest level of European football, where he has built a reputation as one of the continent’s most dangerous forwards. Throughout his career, the 25-year-old has played against defenders from some of Europe’s biggest clubs in domestic leagues and continental competitions.
His praise for Bassey is likely to attract attention among Nigerian football supporters, with both players representing the national team at international level. Bassey has continued to establish himself in the Premier League since joining Fulham, earning recognition for his physical strength, defensive awareness and versatility.
Osimhen’s remarks suggest that the pair’s familiarity from training sessions with Nigeria may have influenced his assessment. The Galatasaray striker specifically pointed to Bassey’s strength as one of the qualities that makes him difficult to play against.
Romero, meanwhile, has developed a reputation in England as one of the Premier League’s most aggressive and tactically astute defenders. Since arriving at Tottenham Hotspur, the World Cup-winning Argentine has become a central figure in the club’s defence, often praised for his reading of the game and combative style.
By highlighting Romero’s intelligence, Osimhen indicated that the defender’s positioning and understanding of the game were among the factors that troubled him during their meetings on the pitch.
Osimhen himself remains one of Africa’s leading footballers and continues to attract global attention for his performances at club and international level. Known for his pace, movement and finishing ability, the striker has regularly been linked with some of Europe’s top clubs following a series of impressive campaigns.
Despite his success in front of goal, the Nigerian forward acknowledged that both Bassey and Romero possess qualities capable of limiting even the most dangerous attackers.
His comments offer insight into the defenders he rates most highly after competing against some of the strongest backlines in European football.
