Everton opinion: Should the Toffees sign Aaron Cresswell?

According to a report from Liverpool Echo, Everton are keen on signing West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell in the summer. The report reveals that the 29-year-old Englishman will cost them £8million and he could be tempted to return to his hometown of Liverpool.

Cresswell has been a regular for the Hammers ever since he joined the club from Ipswich back in the summer of 2014. The 29-year-old has played 179 games for West Ham, scoring 5 goals and providing 19 assists during that time.

However, the Englishman hasn’t had the best of campaigns this time around, having started just 18 games in the Premier League. Cresswell has played second fiddle to Arthur Masuku, whose attacking style has been preferred over the former Ipswich man’s balanced approach.

Cresswell’s best chance of getting regular game time will be with a move away from the Olympic stadium in the summer but his chances of getting what he wants will definitely not increase at Everton next season.

The Toffees have Lucas Digne in their ranks, who is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League. The former Barcelona full-back has settled into life in England brilliantly and his incredible performances earned him the player of the season award at Everton.

Digne’s position as the first-choice left-back is unlikely to change any time soon, barring a miracle but in the club’s point of view, Cresswell would be a phenomenal backup to the Frenchman next season.

Everton are likely to lose club icon Leighton Baines, whose contract with the club expires in the coming days. This would leave Digne as the club’s only full-back which would be a huge risk for the Toffees, who will be exposed in that area if the Frenchman faces an injury.

Everton will need to consider bringing in an experienced full-back to replace Baines and they will find it hard to get hold of a better player than Aaron Cresswell. The Englishman’s understanding of the Premier League is top-notch and his balance between attack and defence is one of the best in the country.

Everton’s biggest problem in signing Cresswell would be the guarantee of playing time. If the Toffees can somehow convince the West Ham full-back to accept limited playing time, they will have a brilliant backup at their disposal next season.

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Conclusion

Everton would be lucky to have a backup as good as Aaron Cresswell next season and the Toffees should go all out in their efforts to convince the 29-year-old to return to his hometown in the summer.