Summerville ‘just like Newcastle star’ after West Ham disappointment
Crysencio Summerville will have dreamed of this season at West Ham United being the springboard for a long, elite-level career.
He may have to put those ambitions on hold after an underwhelming season packed with injuries, which has coincided with that of his team.
It has hardly been the Dutchman’s fault. He was far too good for the Championship last year as his Leeds United side somehow tripped themselves up in their pursuit of a top-flight return, then was never really favoured by Julen Lopetegui.
Graham Potter watched him bag an assist in a very encouraging individual display in his very first game at Aston Villa in the FA Cup. But Summerville has been injured ever since – and after his withdrawal, West Ham went on to lose the tie at Villa Park.
Summerville draws Newcastle United star comparison
Summerville has endured a frustrating campaign, but nobody can dare deny his talent at the peak of his powers.
The forward will be hoping for a long and successful career at Premier League level as well as becoming a regular for the Netherlands national side in time.
He’s still just 23, but watching on nursing his hamstring injury must be hugely frustrating, with many, not least himself, knowing what life he could inject into an ailing Irons outfit.
TV commentator and experienced football analyst Ian Darke has interestingly compared Summerville to Harvey Barnes at Newcastle, in that the duo are just unable to solidify themselves as regular starters.
“It’s been a disappointment this season for Summerville, just like it’s been a disappointing year for West Ham,” Darke exclusively told West Ham Zone.
“He hasn’t really broken in properly – we’ve seen glimpses of what he can do – but he hasn’t established himself in the team. He’s a little bit like Harvey Barnes at Newcastle United.
“They’re just undoubtedly talented players who can’t seem to convince their managers that they can be starters. We’ll wait and see how Potter views him after he’s back fit.”
West Ham ambling to season’s end
West Ham fans are eager for the season just to finish now. They’re not going down and never were, and when you’ve spent what they did last summer, supporters have a right to be angry.
Complaints are often made about the atmosphere decline from Upton Park to the London Stadium – and that will be highlighted even more now with only pride and momentum to play for between now and the end of the season.
| Crysencio Summerville | Apps | Goals |
| 2023-24 – Leeds United (Champ) | 49 | 21 |
| 2024-25 – West Ham United (Prem)* | 22 | 1 |
Hammers players need to treat this spell like an audition for Potter’s plans next season. The head coach has this pressure-free spell to get everything in order ahead of giving it a right go in 2025-26.
West Ham need to be more astute in the market this time around, and Summerville could well be one of the players used to great effect as the pressure is on to spend less than the window in which they acquired the dynamic Dutchman.