OPINION
The start that West Ham United left back Arthur Masuaku made to this season was the finest of his Hammers career, without a doubt.
The 25-year-old has always had concerns surrounding his defensive abilities, but he’s really upped his game in that regard this campaign and has looked better than ever.
However, he will surely be wondering what’s going on at the moment, as his exile from the match day squad has continued for two weeks now.
Not only has he lost his starting spot to Aaron Cresswell after his sending off against Aston Villa last month, but he’s not even been able to command a place on the substitute’s bench recently.
However, his situation was made even worse last week when the club announced on its official website that Cresswell has signed a contract extension through to 2023.
That means plenty more years of this constant to and fro between the two Hammers left backs. While that may bring the best out of both men, it won’t be what Masuaku wants or likely feels he deserves after his fabulous start to the season.
Plus, when you look at the statistics, the DR Congo international doesn’t deserve to be left out for Cresswell, let alone absent from the entire match day squad.
As per WhoScored.com, Masuaku is currently beating the England international in average tackles, interceptions, blocks and clearances per game. In fact, he’s comfortably clear in all of those categories.
Meanwhile, he is actually being dribbled past less and drawing more offsides. For someone who has always been criticised for his defensive abilities, he is far outperforming the former Ipswich Town man in that regard this term.
So the former Manuel Pellegrini favourite will be extremely confused about the situation he currently finds himself in at the London Stadium. However, he’s shown he has the talent to turn things around.
