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Pellegrini’s Masuaku Experiment Needs to End

By Adam Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Joshua King of AFC Bournemouth and Arthur Masuaku of West Ham United battle for the ball during the Premier League match between West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium on August 18, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Joshua King of AFC Bournemouth and Arthur Masuaku of West Ham United battle for the ball during the Premier League match between West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium on August 18, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) /
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Two games into a season is not a long time to judge a team or a player, however, for West Ham’s manager Manuel Pellegrini, he needs to make a defensive change. Attacking minded left-back Arthur Masuaku has gone missing in the first two Premier League matches for West Ham, and his replacement needs to get a look at first-team minutes.

There is plenty to change for Pellegrini as pressure is mounting on West Ham early this season. A massive loss to Liverpool at Anfield had many supporters and onlookers reeling in their lofty pre-seaosn expectations, but the Champions League runners-up were never going to be pushovers. The loss to Bournemouth, however, was a little more troubling.

For one player, in particular, the two-game try out should be coming to end. Masuaku electrified Hammers supporters with his tricky dribbling last season as a left wingback, but as a straight up left back this season he has stumbled. The issue lies in his desire to go forward which often times comes at the expense of defensive coverage.

Liverpool ate him alive in match week one. Alexander Arnold-Trent overlapping with Mohammad Salah caused fits for Masuaku, same with Naby Keita and Wijnaldum who contributed to Liverpool’s attack as well. Against Bournemouth, he simply couldn’t find chemistry with Felipe Anderson which created holes in West Ham’s defensive coverage and deflated the left side attack.

The man waiting in the wings is Aaron Cresswell. The more reserved, but still offensive-minded left-back spent a lot of the preseason injured but should be ready to go for Arsenal this week. What Cresswell offers over Masuaku is more defensive play and solid crossing into the oppositions box.

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Cresswell led West Ham in assists last season with seven. He uses his solid set-piece skills and his crossing accuracy to provide for the team and feed the strikers. While Andy Carroll, his favorite target man, is out of the team, Arnautovic and Yarmolenko can add that aerial threat in the oppositions box.

Cresswell shouldn’t be handed the reins for the season, but rather a two-game series should be levied to him as well. Arsenal has struggled this season albeit against some formidable opposition in Manchester City and Chelsea. West Ham has to jump on a team that, like them, is currently winless.

Cresswell should have an opportunity to make an impact this coming week, showing off his crossing skills while also defensively contending with Aubumeyang, Mhikytarian, Ozil, and Lacazette. It’s won’t be easy for him, but should he succeed this could be the first step to regaining his 2015 form and sitting Masuaku down for the foreseeable future.