"I'm not a cheat" – Coventry City man responds after former manager's harsh comments

Bassette denied Defour's claims of poor training attitude, pointing to his improved form under the next manager as vindication.

Norman Bassette has responded to criticism from Steven Defour, his former manager at KV Mechelen, who claimed the striker had a poor training attitude and was selfish during his loan spell in the 2023/24 season.

Defour, who left Mechelen in November 2023 after Bassette arrived, said on a Belgian podcast that the 21-year-old "wasn't training very well" and was "very selfish." Defour recounted a conversation where Bassette told his assistant coach he was "not a training player" but "a match player."

Speaking to DAZN Belgium, Bassette rejected the characterization. "I heard it, and frankly, it touched me. That's not me. I think everyone who knows me knows I might make mistakes, but I'm not a cheat," he said. He pointed to his improved performance under Besnik Hasi, Defour's successor, as evidence: five goals in 15 matches compared to none in six under Defour. Bassette is currently on loan at KVC Westerlo with a purchase option, where he has scored seven goals in ten matches this season.