Former Aston Villa striker Frank McAvennie has advised Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey to not move to the Premier League next season.
McAvennie believes that despite Bassey's impressive performance for Rangers this season, the 22-year-old is not ready to compete in the English Premier League yet.
Bassey is the subject of interest from Premier League clubs West Ham United, newly-promoted Fulham United, and former boss Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.
Calvin Bassey is not ready for Premier League - McAvennie
However, in an interview with Football Insider, McAvennie suggested that Bassey is only attracting suitors from the Premier League because of what he has done only in Scotland.
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McAvennie said: "Can he go in and play in the Premier League right now? No.
“I don’t think he is good enough for the Premier League. If (Aston Villa manager Steven) Gerrard is buying him, it’s because he has done a job in Scotland."
The former Celtic player explained that the English game is vastly different from the football played in the Scottish Premiership, stating that Bassey would struggle against players like Manchester City's Jack Grealish.
Jack Grealish will rip Calvin Bassey apart - McAvennie
McAvennie suggested that the former Leicester City youth star should stay with the Scottish giants for at least one more season before considering a move to the Premier League.
"England is a whole different game. He’s muscle-bound but if he comes up against someone like Jack Grealish he will get ripped apart," McAvennie said.
“I’m sorry to say that Bassey but that’s the truth. Another year up with Rangers and maybe he might be ready. At this moment in time, the brutal truth is he’s not good enough.”
Bassey made 49 appearances for Rangers across all competitions during the 2021/22 season, chipping in with six (6) assists from his defensive role.
The 22-year-old shone brightly in Rangers' run to the UEFA Europa League final where the Giovanni van Bronckhorst-led side lost to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties.
Bassey was recognised as the Men's Young Player of the Year at Rangers for the 2021/22 season after breaking into the first team and cementing his place there.