Crysencio Summerville and Mohammed Kudus combination can be key to West Ham revival
West Ham United can skyrocket up the Premier League table if Julen Lopetegui allows Crysencio Summerville and Mohammed Kudus to flourish.
The Hammers posted on X at full-time of their 2-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday (27 October), showing opening goalscorer Summerville celebrating with Kudus in the London Stadium tunnel.
Summerville also ran straight over to the bench to celebrate with the Ghanaian after tapping in to make it 1-0 midway through the second half, and it's clear the two have quickly struck up a friendship.
Given the 22-year-old has been given few chances to start since arriving from Leeds United, the onus is now on Lopetegui to provide a platform for him and Kudus – once he returns from a ban – to thrive.
Crysencio Summerville–Mohammed Kudus combo to lift West Ham
If there was any doubt that Summerville needed to be granted more minutes to make his mark in claret and blue, the Dutchman's display against Manchester United certainly underlined his first-team claims.
Introduced at half-time with the game goalless after an opening 45 minutes dominated by the visitors, it's arguable that Lopetegui wouldn't have turned to Summerville had Kudus already been on the pitch.
The Ghanaian is currently serving a three-match ban for his straight red card against Spurs [The Mirror, 21 October], and he'll be expecting to come straight back into the side once available for selection.
Playing the pair together could pay dividends and then some for Lopetegui, giving the Spaniard two lightning-fast wingers with an eye for goal the free rein to wreak havoc on Premier League defences.
It remains to be seen exactly when the Ghanaian will be back in the starting XI, but for Lopetegui to truly succeed in East London, he needs to allow Kudus and Summerville's relationship to blossom on the pitch.
In other West Ham news, Jeff Stelling slammed the controversial decision which led to the Irons beating Manchester United.