Crysencio Summerville was the Championship’s crown jewel last summer following an outstanding campaign with Leeds United.
The Dutchman was named Championship Player of the Year after notching 21 goals and ten assists in 49 games for the Whites.
While it wasn’t enough to send Leeds back to the Premier League, Summerville’s exploits put him on the radar of several top-flight teams.
West Ham United ultimately won the race for his signature, fending off interest from their Premier League rivals to agree a £30 million deal for the dazzling Dutchman.
The move was seen as a masterstroke. However, despite high expectations, he has struggled to establish himself as a key player in Julen Lopetegui’s side, raising concerns about his long-term future at the club.
Summerville could push for a West Ham exit in January
Summerville’s numbers this season tell a frustrating story. He has featured 18 times in the Premier League but started just six games, racking up a modest 690 minutes.
The Dutchman has contributed a goal and an assist and created two big chances – a far cry from the lethal form that lit up the Championship last season.
But that’s down to the lack of trust from the manager. Lopetegui hasn’t given him a run of games to showcase his talent, and that dilemma was made clear in Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing against Liverpool.
The Spanish manager opted to start Emerson Palmieri on the left flank ahead of Summerville, who was once again forced to warm the bench.
An injury to Hammers skipper Jarrod Bowen forced Lopetegui to hand Summerville a cameo. He looked lively after his introduction, injecting energy into a struggling side.
Summerville is not the finished article, but his statistics at Leeds prove he could be a lethal weapon for the Hammers if Lopetegui shows faith in him.
That hasn’t happened, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Summerville push for a move away from West Ham in January.
If the Hammers don’t offer him a platform to thrive, another club might – and they could reap the rewards of his untapped brilliance.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com.
