ExWHUemployee: Aaron Cresswell set to replace Declan Rice as West Ham United captain
West Ham United are expected to hand Aaron Cresswell the captaincy once Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal is confirmed, according to ExWHUemployee.
Rice is set to leave the Hammers in a £105m deal, meaning the club will be looking for a third full-time captain in three years after he replaced Mark Noble last summer following his retirement.
But according to Ex on his Patreon (29 June), while Cresswell is the most likely to get the role the club are also considering signing James Ward-Prowse with one of the reasons being he could also take over as captain if he joined.
“Not only will we be losing a top player in Declan Rice but we will be losing our club captain,” he said.
“This is obviously the second year in a row that this is happened. We have discussed potential replacements from within the squad with Aaron Cresswell the most likely to get the role, however, the club are said to be looking to recruit a potential captain too.
“The stand out signing with those credentials appears to be England international and Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse. Not only can he provide leadership but provides great set-piece options too.”
Longevity
Cresswell would certainly make sense to step into the role of captain as one of the longest-serving players at the club and with his contract recently renewed.
The problem would be that much like Noble before Rice, he isn’t a regular starter in the team and that would mean someone else needs to wear the armband anyway.
Having someone like Ward-Prowse coming into the team would allow the club to replace Rice partially on the pitch in midfield, but he’s also a proven leader having captained Southampton for several seasons before their relegation in the 2022/23 season.
He’s a natural leader and a proven Premier League calibre player, so it could prove to be a great signing. Also when you consider how much David Moyes likes to play for set-pieces, he would be ideal.
His price is likely to be high so it’s something to consider, but the club clearly feel they’re lacking leaders in the current squad if that is one of the criteria for signings right now.
In other West Ham news, the club have made an enquiry about the availability of one Chelsea ace.