Days now numbered for Aaron Cresswell at West Ham United after another injury blow, transfer replacement may already be lined up
David Moyes has revealed that West Ham United will be without Aaron Cresswell for the foreseeable future and the East Londoners may already be planning for his inevitable departure.
The Irons boss revealed in his pre-match press conference on Friday (29 September) that the left-back wouldn’t be ready for the game against Sheffield United on Saturday (30 September) having picked up a hamstring injury during the Hammers Europa League win over TSC Backa Topola.
Cresswell missed West Ham’s win over Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup and the defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League, and it is yet another injury blow for the senior West Ham man who could well have called it quits during the summer.
The 33-year-old pushed to leave for Wolves during the summer window [The Athletic, 19 July] and even missed training as they offered him better wages in order to be closer to his family in the Midlands.
Having entered the final 12 months of his contract at the London Stadium, it would have made sense for both parties to part ways after a season which finished on a high note after their Europa Conference League triumph, a possible last-perfect hoorah for the nine-year West Ham United veteran.
However, the 33-year-old stayed but it hasn’t been a smooth ride for Cresswell with their Europa League triumph over Backa Topla his only start so far this season, with Moyes preferring Emerson.
Whatever Moyes’ stance is on Cresswell remains to be seen but what is clear, it seems as though the Hammers are already planning for life without him, especially after this new injury blow.
West Ham United were interested in Manchester United’s Alvaro Fernandez and Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen which shows how much Cresswell was close to leaving last summer, and a move for the latter may well still be on the cards.
According to The Telegraph [28 September], Chelsea could be forced to listen to offers for Maatsen if he does not sign a new contract before then.
Matt Law reports that Mauricio Pochettino is a fan of the young full-back, but the club’s hand may be forced if the player is unwilling to commit to fresh terms which may tempt West Ham to make their move and replace Cresswell for good.
West Ham were regularly linked with the Dutchman throughout the summer, with the Evening Standard reporting on 1 September that he was open to making the move.
The Irons already have Emerson as a capable left-back and replacement for Cresswell but the 21-year-old fits Tim Steidten’s desire to bring a younger crop of players to the East London club while also offering the potential Premier League quality that Moyes has been so desperate to add to his ranks this summer.
In 39 Championship games last season, Maatsen recorded an impressive ten-goal contributions (four goals and six assists) marking him out as the best in his position for the best team in the league during the 2022/23 campaign.
There is no guarantee of minutes for the Dutchman at Stamford Bridge with both Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella competing for the left-back role, which could well present West Ham United as the perfect next step up for him.
It’s clear Cresswell won’t be able to compete at the top level for long and it’s important Moyes and Steidten prepare for the inevitable with a potential burgeoning Maatsen opportunity now possible.
The days are certainly numbered for Cresswell, however sad it may be, the time for goodbyes is drawing closer.
In other West Ham news, Javier Hernandez has hit out at David Moyes for how he was managed during his time in East London