Jeff Stelling baffled by Julen Lopetegui decision at West Ham. Credit: talkSPORT / Imago
Jeff Stelling baffled by Julen Lopetegui decision at West Ham. Credit: talkSPORT / Imago

Jeff Stelling 'staggered' by what did Julen Lopetegui did for West Ham v Manchester United

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Jeff Stelling could not believe that Julen Lopetegui chose not to start Crysencio Summerville as West Ham faced Manchester United on Sunday (27 October).

With Mohammed Kudus suspended after lashing out in the 4-1 defeat to Tottenham, many fans expected the Dutchman to finally be given an opportunity to prove himself at the London Stadium.

However, they were left disappointed as Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio and Lucas Paqueta were joined by Carlos Soler on the left flank, though Summerville would later prove the manager wrong.

Speaking live via talkSPORT on Monday (28 October, 6:25am), Stelling said: "One thing that I was staggered by was that, even without Mohammed Kudus in the team, he will still not start Crysencio Summerville. It was absolutely beyond belief.

"He got out of jail because West Ham were useless in the first half. They could have been four or five goals down at half-time, and we'd be talking about Julen Lopetegui's future instead of Erik ten Hag."

Crysencio Summerville must start for West Ham United

The 22-year-old has struggled to break into the starting XI since arriving from Leeds United this season, but he has taken little time to impress the fans at the London Stadium.

Having been benched once again, Summerville took his opportunity to prove the manager wrong after entering the field at half-time, going on to score the opener against the Red Devils.

Of course, the Hammers needed a last-gasp penalty to claim all three points, controversially awarded against Matthijs De Ligt, but Lopetegui can no longer ignore the electric winger.

Crysencio Summerville
West Ham United attacker Crysencio Summerville [Credit: Imago]

Kudus will still be serving his suspension when the Hammers travel to The City Ground on Saturday 2 November, so if Summerville is not in the lineup, more questions will start to be raised over Lopetegui.

Just because the Irons managed to put another three points on the board against Man United, the head coach is still very much under pressure, so a victory next weekend is just as important.

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