West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell has excelled since manager David Moyes switched to a back three. The 30-year-old’s performances as a left-sided centre-half are certainly an improvement on his games playing as a fullback.
Even with his change in position, though, the player is still providing a threat from dead-ball situations. He has already contributed three assists this season whilst also averaging two key passes per game.
Cresswell has been much criticised for his displays in the past, especially when he was playing as a left-back in a back four, but many fans on Twitter have acknowledged that he is well suited to playing in the 3-4-3 formation:
Cresswell has been absolutely fantastic in the new system. Not sure that he’s getting the credit he deserves even now.
— David Ezra (@DavidEzra66) November 1, 2020
Definitely more suited to that role his deep crosses backing up masuaku give us a lot of threat going forward aswell
— will earle (@willearle_) November 1, 2020
Since his injury he’s lost a yard of pace, makes sense to have him tuck in and give Masuaku the wing back role
— Shoes Buttback (@DanMakesNoises) November 1, 2020
People seem to forget last time Moyes was here he put Cresswell at CB and he a lot better then pelligrini put him back to LB and he was trash
— KingFero (@KINGFERO_) November 1, 2020
Cresswell was never as bad as people said. I’d sooner have him at left back/left wing back over Masuaku.
— Anthammer (@AntWadebridge) November 1, 2020
For those with too short a memory, he played the same position for Moyes last time around and also did very well. I also think Johnson would fit in well on the right or left side as he is defensively very solid.
— The Pearly Kilt (@MartinMeredew) November 1, 2020
I’ve been highly critical of Cress over the last year or two and I have to see he is playing better this season. Still need Diop in over Balbuena!
— Austin Horvath (@IAmTheeAustin) November 1, 2020
He’s been so good you could argue we don’t need to sign a centre back at all.
— Graham Turner#GSBOUT#FBPE ??????????? ⚒ (@GrahamRTurner) November 1, 2020
With the current system he can get forward and be supported by Arthur who also had unnecessary abuse when it was obvious that Arthur needed to play in a more advanced role. All props to Moyes because he is the only one that has done this for Arthur
— Mehmet Akdeniz (@Da_Memz) November 2, 2020
As Cresswell heads towards the back end of his career, the centre-back role is certainly something that suits his attributes more. He is not mobile enough to play regularly in the Premier League as a fullback, but he does have more pace than a regular centre-back when used in a back three.
