Things aren't anywhere near as bleak as they were a couple of months ago, but this season is still set to be a brutal one for West Ham United.
Nuno Espírito Santo has got his team playing much better football than they were under the previous regime, and has lost just one of his last seven games in charge.
However, the East Londoners still sit in the Premier League relegation zone, three points adrift of 17th and in need of a better second half to the season.
West Ham United players huddle before the match
Fortunately, if reports are to be believed, West Ham are looking to strengthen the team next month and have even been linked with someone who has shades of Declan Rice to them.
West Ham target Rice-esque star
With their Premier League survival far from guaranteed, it's not been surprising to see West Ham linked with a host of talented players in recent weeks.
For example, Norwich City's American striker Josh Sargent has been touted for a move to the London Stadium, as has former Brentford star and England international Ivan Toney.
However, as talented as the two strikers are, and as much of an impact as they could have on the East Londoners, they couldn't really be described as Rice-esque, unlike Charlie Cresswell.
Declan Rice for West Ham
Yes, according to a recent report from Hammers News, West Ham have reignited their intense interest in Charlie Cresswell.
In fact, the report has revealed that the club are so worried about their defence, that talks are already expected to take place ahead of the window opening next month.
The report does not mention how much the Toulouse centre-back might cost, but reports from earlier this year claimed that the French side wanted in excess of £18m to sell.
It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Cresswell's ability and potential, it's one West Ham should pursue, especially as there are shades of Rice to his game.
How Cresswell compares to Rice
Now, the first thing to make clear is that while there are similarities between the two, Cresswell is not as good a player as Rice, at least not at the moment.
Charlie-Cresswell
It would be absurd to suggest otherwise, but that doesn't mean there aren't shades of the former West Ham star in the defender's game, such as his temperament.
During his time in East London, the former Irons star was a model professional and even before he was handed the armband, a genuine leader in the team, someone who never appeared intimidated.
Fortunately, the same can be said about the Toulouse star, and in fact has, with respected analyst Ben Mattinson describing the 23-year-old as a "proper leader at the back" during his performances for England's U-21s, who he helped win the European Championships this summer.
This ability to stand out at club and international level - albeit in the youth side - is another key similarity the former Leeds United gem shares with the now Arsenal star.
cresswell
As is the fact that he's able to combine his temperament off the ball with an ability and desire to fully commit to tackles, blocks, interceptions, and other less glamorous aspects of the game.
This is also reflected in his underlying numbers.
Cresswell's Scout Report
Statistics
Goals
Goals + Assists
npxG: Non-Penalty xG
Shots on Target
Aerials Won
Shots Blocked
Clearances
Assists
Goal-Creating Actions
Blocks
All Stats via FBref
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 7% of centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues for shots blocked, the top 11% for clearances and the top 20% for blocks overall, all per 90.
Finally, the Preston-born monster has also shown an ability to help out in attacking situations, already scoring three goals and providing one assist in 16 league appearances this season.
Ultimately, while he might not be on Rice's level at the moment, Cresswell certainly shares some of his characteristics.
Therefore, West Ham should be doing all they can to sign him next month.
west-ham-bowen Related
[West Ham star was their best signing since Bowen, now he's "shambolic"](https://www.footballfancast.com/west-ham-diouf-looked-like-their-best-signing-since-bowen/ "West Ham star was their best signing since Bowen, now he's "shambolic"")
It's been a roller-coaster of a season for the West Ham star, who once looked as good a signing as Bowen.