Green Street Hammers
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Winners and Losers from West Ham’s first preseason games

By Henry Tomlinson

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Jack Wilshire of West Ham United during the Pre-Season Friendly between Ipswich Town and West Ham United at Portman Road on August 25, 2020 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Jack Wilshire of West Ham United during the Pre-Season Friendly between Ipswich Town and West Ham United at Portman Road on August 25, 2020 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
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Losers

1. Jack Wilshere

IPSWICH, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Jack Wilshire of West Ham United during the Pre-Season Friendly between Ipswich Town and West Ham United at Portman Road on August 25, 2020 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Jack Wilshire of West Ham United during the Pre-Season Friendly between Ipswich Town and West Ham United at Portman Road on August 25, 2020 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /

Poor Jack Wilshere, it just has not happened for him since signing a couple of years ago. The Englishman has spent most of his time at the club sidelined by injury and has not done much when he has played.

In his match against Ipswich Town, Wilshere looks to be the most off-pace with the game and constantly under pressure. The midfielder was deployed in a deeper role but still managed to give the ball away and failed to majorly contribute to any of the club’s attacks.

Wilshere scored a 4.5 on the Green Street Hammer’s player ratings and was lucky not to be rated the lowest. With the club’s finances in a sticky situation, it would be best if he was moved on if a suitor can be found.

2. Fabian Balbuena

West Ham United’s Paraguayan defender Fabián Balbuena heads the ball during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The London Stadium, in east London on January 25, 2020. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
West Ham United’s Paraguayan defender Fabián Balbuena heads the ball during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The London Stadium, in east London on January 25, 2020. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

The man who stopped Wilshere from being the worst performer is sadly Fabian Balbuena. The defender was at fault for the Ipswich goal and looked very shaky at the back. Balbuena often gave the ball away and still looks to be a shadow of his debut season self.

This poor performance would be enough to see him as one of the losers of the round, but the fact Aji Alese and Jamal Baptiste both put in solid performances does make it worse. The youngsters both looked very accomplished and could be ready to challenge for places in the squad next season.

If Alese and Baptiste continue to develop then it would not be surprising to see the Paraguayan defender moved on before the end of the transfer window.

3. Aaron Cresswell

LONDON,ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 29: Aaron Cresswell of West Ham holds the ball under his shirt before taking a throw-in during the West Ham United v Southampton F.A. Premier League match at the London Stadium on February 29 2020 in London (Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images)
LONDON,ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 29: Aaron Cresswell of West Ham holds the ball under his shirt before taking a throw-in during the West Ham United v Southampton F.A. Premier League match at the London Stadium on February 29 2020 in London (Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images) /

Aaron Cresswell like Lanzini has been declining since his own major injury. But what separates the two is the left-backs lack of ability ton show that he can get back on track. The defender had a torrid time defending last season, which has made fans believe that upgrading, Cresswell’s position is a major priority in the transfer window.

What could make Cresswell’s situation even worse is the performances from Arthur Masuaku and Emmanuel Longelo. Masuaku scored a blinding goal against Wycombe and was heavily involved with a lot of the club’s attacks, as well as putting in a solid defensive shift. Longelo may only have had a cameo appearance but also looked capable of putting the veteran under-pressure.

Next. Grady Diangana will bring new life and hope to West Ham. dark

It is only the first games of preseason and it could be too soon to make judgements. But if the season was starting tomorrow it should be clear to see who would and who would not make the squad.