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David Moyes’ formation change may have saved Arthur Masuaku’s West Ham career
For a long while, Arthur Masuaku’s days at West Ham United looked numbered.
The star was signed back in 2016 from Olympiacos, but since arriving at the club he’s been regularly criticised for the defensive side of his game.
Masuaku has always been attack-minded, and the hope over the years has been that he would bring his defending up to the same kind of level.
That has not been the case though, and in more recent times, large sections of the fanbase have campaigned for his departure, as well as Aaron Cresswell – who arrived a the club a year before.
Lots have wanted fresh impetus at left-back in the last couple of transfer windows, but this season, there has been a remarkable turnaround in Masuaku, and it appears to be down to one very simple thing.
David Moyes has decided to set West Ham up with three central defenders and wing-backs in 2020/21 – and that small tweak has seen Masuaku become reborn.
TBR’s View – Moyes might have saved Masuaku’s West Ham career
In the current system, £40,000-a-week star Masuaku () thrives as he is able to bomb forwards in the knowledge that Cresswell will cover the space he leaves behind.
And once Masuaku gets into the final third, he is able to shine.
It isn’t to say that Masuaku has been weak defensively in this system though – against City, he made eight ball recoveries and was involved in 12 duels .
His performance against Pep Guardiola’s side yesterday was arguably one of his very best in a West Ham shirt, and any the idea of him being sold soon is surely now out of the question.