Ever since losing to Everton on October 19th, Manuel Pellegrini has opted for Aaron Cresswell ahead of Arthur Masuaku at left-back. It is a run of eight straight games, during which the Hammers have accumulated two wins, one draw and five defeats, yet still, the Chilean has persisted with the English defender. Aside from the decisive goal in the win over Chelsea, Cresswell has failed to offer more than his DR Congo counterpart.
Defensively it is challenging to comprehend how Pellegrini could justify starting the Englishman. Cresswell has recorded 0.6 fewer tackles per 90 minutes, while also making 0.3 fewer interceptions, suggesting he is more positionally ill-disciplined and less able to read the game defensively than his teammate. Furthermore, Masuaku has also made more clearances than the Englishman, been dribbled around less frequently and put his body on the line to block a greater number of shots on goal. Not only is the Congolese defender more committed, but he has the pace to ensure he is less easily beaten by his opposite number.
With regards to distribution Masuaku, valued at £9m (Transfermarkt), also excels, having averaged just shy of a key pass per game, triple the number Cresswell has averaged. Though the DR Congo international’s number of passes per match is fewer, they have been made with greater accuracy than his English counterpart, along with having played six times the amount of crosses. While inevitably due to creating more chances, Masuaku has an assist while Cresswell is yet to register one in the Premier League this season.
In fact, one of the only areas which Cresswell exceeds his teammate is goals, the Englishman has found the back of the net on three occasions this season, while Masuaku is yet to find his shooting boots. Cresswell has scored more by averaging triple the number of shots per game but considering the Hammer’s outlay on forwards they should not be reliant upon a left-back for goals.
To compound Cresswell’s damning statistics the Congolese international is making seven times the number of dribbles around opposition players, troubling opposition defences with his pace and close control. Overall it is quite astounding Pellegrini has stuck with Cresswell for so long considering his rival for the left-back slot is vastly outperforming him in every area.
