Opinion: West Ham Should Avoid Offering a New Contract to Player Despite Recent Form

West Ham secured their second consecutive victory last week with a 2-0 win over Leicester City.

However, more notably, it marked the second instance in which manager Graham Potter experimented with a new tactical approach.

The shift began against Arsenal, where Potter opted for a five-at-the-back formation to neutralize the Gunners’ attacking threat.

The strategy paid off, as West Ham secured a 1-0 win, with Jarrod Bowen scoring the decisive goal. Encouraged by that success, Potter retained the formation against Leicester.

Although the approach was somewhat sluggish at times, it proved effective once again.

Given the results, this tactical setup could become Potter’s preferred style moving forward.

Despite the success of this new system, it should not influence West Ham’s decision regarding Aaron Cresswell’s contract ahead of the summer transfer window.

West Ham Should Avoid Offering Cresswell a New Deal

Cresswell has been one of the main beneficiaries of the tactical shift, delivering a strong performance against Arsenal.

The 35-year-old extended his contract for a year last summer, keeping him at the club until the end of the current campaign.

However, despite his recent contributions, West Ham should look to the future rather than renew his deal.

Cresswell turns 36 this year, and while he has performed well in recent weeks, concerns remain over his ability to maintain that level throughout another full season.

Though he has been a loyal servant to the club, his best years are behind him, much like Vladimir Coufal, who faces a similar situation.

If Cresswell is to leave, West Ham must ensure they bring in a suitable replacement—someone who shares his strengths but can offer long-term consistency.

West Ham Must Support Potter in the Summer Transfer Window

Backing a manager is often associated with financial investment, which is undoubtedly important.

However, for West Ham to truly support Potter, they need to recruit players who complement his tactical vision.

At present, Potter appears committed to a five-at-the-back system, which necessitates reinforcements in key positions to make the formation work effectively.

To implement his preferred style successfully, he must be given the right personnel to execute it at a high level.

With the current season seemingly heading toward an underwhelming conclusion, West Ham cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes.

The club must take decisive action in the upcoming transfer window to ensure a stronger, more competitive squad for the next campaign.