For Aaron Cresswell, there would be no prouder feeling than finishing his career with the Club he has spent the longest portion of his professional playing days with.
Having spent three years as a professional with both Tranmere Rovers and Ipswich Town, Cresswell moved to West Ham United in 2014. Five years on, the left-back has lengthened his stay with the Irons. A two-year extension takes his contract to 2023 which would mean nine years in Claret and Blue.
The defender feels loved at West Ham and recognises that prolonged spells with just one club are becoming rarer and rarer in the modern game. Cresswell, however, has no desire for change, and is very happy with life in east London
“When you’re at a club for this long, it’s special,” Cresswell told whufc.com. “Especially nowadays, things change a lot. To have a few more years here is always special. If I could finish my career off at West Ham, it would be a proud moment for me and my family.
“It would be a great crack at a footballing career. West Ham is moving in the right direction and the Club is moving forward. The manager’s ideas, the way we’re playing football now, London Stadium, everything is good.
“For me, personally, to start at Tranmere and to move to Ipswich Town and then progress to West Ham, it’s been a fantastic journey. A few more years and I’m looking forward to the future ahead.”
In his time with the Irons, Cresswell has been a regular under every manager. Signed by Sam Allardyce in 2014, the defender showed the quality to earn an England cap under Slaven Bilic, displayed his adaptability with David Moyes, before adjusting again to play in Manuel Pellegrini’s free-flowing style.
The fourth player to commit himself to a new deal at West Ham this season, behind Robert Snodgrass, Arthur Masuaku and Manuel Lanzini, Cresswell is relishing learning from Pellegrini and the philosophy adopted by the experienced Chilean.
Cresswell continued: “They’re all different managers in their own right and have different philosophies of playing. I’m not saying it because he’s the manager now but, if you look at the teams Manuel Pellegrini has managed, how long he has been in football and the CV he has got, he likes to play is brilliant football.
“The goal we scored against Crystal Palace has gone a little bit unnoticed, but we work on that, day-in and day-out. The way we’re playing now is brilliant. He’s got a great team around him as well. He looks to be involved and he is a very cool, calm and collected.
“He is a fantastic manager. You look at his CV, he has been around the world at the biggest clubs in Real Madrid and Manchester City. He’s great to be around.”
Competition for places is fierce at West Ham United, and it is no different at left-back. Cresswell’s return to the team in recent weeks came following Masuaku’s suspension, after a sending off against Aston Villa, and the No3 has made the opportunity count, scoring against Manchester United and Bournemouth.
The duo push each other to be even better, according to Cresswell, and the defenders continue to drive each other to new heights, all for the betterment of West Ham.
“Arthur has been here now for a few years and we get on great, as we all do,” Cresswell added. “Whether I’m playing or not playing, I’m fully supportive of Arthur and vice-versa.
“We’ve got a big squad so there’s going to be players that are missing out. I know the manager likes to change it and the older I’ve got; you get to realise that that’s what it’s about.
“It’s not about individuals, it’s about how well the team is doing, and the team comes first. As I say, whether I’m playing or not playing, I’m fully supportive of the team.”
