West Ham: Moyes may have found the perfect Cresswell heir in a “excellent” 18-year-old…

West Ham: Moyes may have found the perfect Cresswell heir in a “excellent” 18-year-old…

West Ham United won the Europa Conference League last season after sticking with manager David Moyes, who was unable to match his previous Premier League success.

After two games, the Hammers are top of their Europa League group, having qualified for continental participation despite finishing 16th in the league last season after winning the Conference League.

The return to Thursday night football also means that the east London club is now in their fourth consecutive season on the European stage, and they will definitely be looking for more silverware after a taste in June.

They are doing so without Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal in a £105 million summer transfer after rising through the Irons academy to become one of the game’s best midfielders.

His progression will have been inspiring for the club’s newest crop of young players, who know that they, too, can walk the path that the 24-year-old has walked.

With a number of first-teamers, like Aaron Cresswell, poised to leave at the conclusion of the season, Moyes may wish to utilize such individuals to fill the vacancies.

Is Aaron Cresswell leaving West Ham?

With several aces in their final season at West Ham, Moyes and his transfer team will be considering internally the alternatives available to sustain the great vein of form that has now spanned four campaigns.

Of course, this will be a mix of new players, youth players, and the inevitable extensions for one or two potential departees.

Cresswell is one player on the list who is expected to leave when his contract expires, having joined United from Ipswich Town for about £2 million in 2014.

Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers were both interested in signing him after 332 appearances, but he ultimately stayed in London.

Despite his age, Cresswell retains his fantastic ball-playing ability, with FBref ranking him among the top 11% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions, the top 19% for passes attempted, and the top 10% for progressive passes per 90 over the past year.

The £50,000-per-week ace has been a solid and crucial cornerstone in West Ham’s growth in recent years, with talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino hailing him as a “unsung hero” for the club.

But, given that he is out of contract at the end of the season, his adventure may be nearing its end, especially given his decreased presence on the pitch in recent years.

As a result, now may be the moment to start giving youngster Regan Clayton more responsibility, with the academy superstar possessing all of the traits to thrive at West Ham and serve as Cresswell’s heir.

Who exactly is Regan Clayton?

Clayton has been at West Ham’s academy since he was ten years old, where he flourished during his formative years and is now on the verge of making his senior debut in the not-too-distant future.

The 18-year-old is explosive, uncompromising, and ready to contribute to offensive stretches of play whenever possible, citing Bayern Munich sensation Alphonso Davies as his idol, with such dynamic traits tailor-made for a spot in a Moyes team.

The club’s Scottish manager is perhaps known for his conservative, disciplined philosophy, but he would scoff at the label of ‘defensive football’ at the London Stadium, having scored more goals this season than Chelsea and Manchester United and leading West Ham to new, silver-laden heights since his appointment.

He instills resilience and stability, which produces fluidity in transition, with overlapping fullbacks allowing pockets for offensive focal points to work laterally across the frontline.