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West Ham has their left back, now what’s next for Aaron Cresswell?

By Jeremiah Carson

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Aaron Cresswell of West Ham United is shown a yellow card by Referee Chris Kavanagh during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Aaron Cresswell of West Ham United is shown a yellow card by Referee Chris Kavanagh during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /
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In an unprecedented move on Monday, West Ham United signed highly questioned left-back, Arthur Masuaku, to a contract extension until 2024. The player in question, Aaron Cresswell, and what will happen for him next?

Besides the forward position this transfer window, there has been a no bigger debate for West Ham fans than what to with the left-back position. The main players in question, Arthur Masuaku and Aaron Cresswell, both veterans of the club.

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Going back to the judgment of highly questioned, Masuaku has been. From his spitting incident to his lack of follow-through, to his comments on him being a “self-proclaimed” winger, what has this guy not done? And yet, myself and many of the West Ham world love that he is being noticed by the Gaffer.

However, back to the true question at hand. If Pellegrini is giving this to Arthur, what’s to happen with Aaron? Cresswell was, for a time, a staple at left-back for the hammers until the injuries started piling up. We all can remember back to the final season at Upton Park and how well he played for the Irons.

For me, this extension of Masuaku is a clear statement of intention by West Ham and Pellegrini that the left-back position is locked up and Cress better find a new home or get used to the backup role. But will it come at a cost for the Hammers?

Cresswell has typically been a better defender than Masuaku but he hasn’t been able to attack as well, especially since the before mentioned 2015/16 season, highlight below.

Masuaku extension gets nailed down for West Ham. dark. Next

With all that in mind, it seemed as of late he and Anderson or any other combo of center backs just cannot gel as well as Masuaku has been able to. I have a lot of solid memories of Cress but I cannot help but think that this is the beginning of the end from Aaron Cresswell.