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Masuaku and Cresswell thrive in new West Ham roles

By Scott Johnson

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Arthur Masuaku of West Ham United is challenged by N'Golo Kante of Chelsea during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium on December 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Arthur Masuaku of West Ham United is challenged by N'Golo Kante of Chelsea during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium on December 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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The whole West Ham team performed admirably against Chelsea on Saturday. But Masuaku and Cresswell, in their new roles, really caught the eye.

It certainly isn’t an easy job to get West Ham winning at the moment. They’ve looked leaky, short on confidence and short of goals. But David Moyes has made a number of tweaks to get the Hammers firing well. And when someone changes positions it’s always a risk, but one that Moyes has managed well.

Since his injury last year, Cresswell has looked timid at right back. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t a good player. Masuaku, when he was signed as injury cover for the Englishman, looked a bit too attack minded to play regularly as an out and out left back. So David Moyes, in the last two games anyway, has maneuvered them to fit their games.

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Pushing on from left back

Masuaku was given man of the match against Chelsea, and rightly so. He is a great ball player, and he was allowed to flourish on the wing against the Blues. He managed more successful takeons in that game (11) than any other PL player has managed this season. That’s extremely impressive.

However Moyes hasn’t got him there in his role just for his attacking qualities. As a wingback Masuaku is also extremely adept in the challenge, and in the wingback role he is not leaving too much space in behind any more. He can help out at the back whilst also getting forward quickly.

Ironically it is a role Marcus Alonso of Chelsea excelled in last season. The freedom when attacking and structure in defence is a great quality of this formation. However it was West Ham’s left wing back that stole the show on Saturday, and we hope he can do it again.

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Left Back to Centre Back

Cresswell’s move is one that fewer predicted, but it seems to be working exceptionally well. As the left centreback of a trio, Cresswell gets the structure of a teammate near him at all times with extra cover from the ‘wing back’ in Masuaku. Cresswell’s doesn’t need to be isolated as often now, and there are fewer 50/50 challenges.

He showed great maturity on the ball and against teams who aren’t as imposing as Chelsea he will be able to get in and help the attack. Just look at Azpilacueta of Chelsea. He was a fullback before the move to a centreback three, and he gets a lot of assists from deep crosses when the team is pushed up. This is something that Cresswell can look at pushing in his new role.

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The key for me is making Moyes stick with this shape. Keep moving it and we become confused. This shape can become more aggressive with personnel and emphasis changes, it doesn’t necessarily require a formation break. But as manager, Moyes has done well with these two players.