“On One Condition” – Aaron Cresswell speaks about Ipswich RETURN
A departure from West Ham United does not necessarily mean a departure from professional football as a whole.
Lukasz Fabianski turned down a return to Poland with former employers Legia Warsaw. But, even at the age of 40, the veteran goalkeeper appears to be in no rush to hang up his gloves.
Vladimir Coufal could be on his way to Leeds United alongside Tomas Soucek – their experience potentially invaluable in what may be a fierce battle down the bottom – while a 32-year-old Danny Ings could still be a lethal goalscorer for a club willing to play to his strengths.
As for Aaron Cresswell, the long-serving left-back has barely even considered the prospect of retirement.
Jesse Lingard and Declan Rice led the tributes when it emerged that his contract would not be renewed, while Alan Pardew described Aaron Cresswell as an ‘outstanding’ servant of 11 years at Upton Park and the London Stadium.
The Conference League winner could make his farewell West Ham appearance, meanwhile, in the most ‘fitting’ of circumstances on Sunday afternoon.
Aaron Cresswell says he won’t retire after leaving West Ham United
Graham Potter’s Hammers bring down the curtain away to Ipswich Town.
The club where Cresswell made his name in the EFL before being snapped up for a bargain £3.75 million at a time when Kevin Nolan, Nene and Morgan Amalfitano were wearing claret and blue.
“For my last ever game for West Ham, after 11 years at the club, to be back at Ipswich is fitting. It couldn’t have worked out any better really,” Cresswell tells the East Anglian Daily Times, all the while sending out a clear message to any clubs who may be on the lookout for a left-back with bags of nous and a wicked set-piece.
“First and foremost I’m definitely carrying on [in football]. There’s no doubt about that. I still feel like I’ve got a lot to offer on and off the pitch.”
Cresswell has been a regular fixture in Potter’s starting XI in recent weeks. He may have lost a yard or two of pace but, when operating on the left of a back-three, a lack of athleticism can be covered up pretty handily.
