Signed from Olympiakos back in 2016, Arthur Masuaku has played his role of rotation option for West Ham rather well, having had to make do with strong competition from Aaron Cresswell.
With 22 appearances in two years to his name in a Hammers shirt, the 23-year-old is still learning, but he’s very happy with how things are going for him, explaining as much in an interview with Lathlete.fr.
Spending two nights with the footballer at his house, the journalist followed Masuaku around for a couple of days, and got to ask him important questions, like who is the best dressed in the West Ham dressing room (André Ayew, James Collins and Winston Reid), and who is the worst: “Edimilson Fernandes. He doesn’t care. Dresses like a kid.”
Born in the north of France, the young defender is now at a good club in the Premier League, albeit one struggling at the moment.
Admitting he used the move to Olympiakos as a stepping stone to get to the Premier League, Masuaku has always had the move to England as part of his career plan.
But did he have offers from other clubs when the choice to go to the Hammers popped up: “Honestly, I don’t know. My agent only told me about West Ham, and after the good season they had, was the best team for me, especially being in London, a big city, not far from France.”
As for who is the hardest to defend against at training: “Manuel Lanzini, he’s really good with the ball in his feet.”
Left on the bench for the 3-2 win against Tottenham on Wednesday night, Masuaku will be hoping, along with all his teammates, the win was the turning point for the club, currently 16th in the league.
However, does playing for a London club in the Premier League mean he’s made it? Not quite: “I think it’s just the beginning. I have higher goals. It’s just the beginning, but yes, it was an aim to come here, and now that I am, I have to keep going to be more competitive.”
That, and he needs to play regularly, and only he can convince Slaven Bilic to choose him over Aaron Cresswell.
It’s a tough task, but not an impossible one.
