Paul Merson singles out West Ham United player as Fulham scoreline predicted
West Ham and Crysencio Summerville in particular must show they are “clicking together” when they face Fulham, according to Paul Merson.
Writing in his Sportskeeda predictions column (12 September), Merson said that results have to come fast for Julen Lopetegui’s side following a summer of heavy spending on the transfer front.
Highlighting Summerville’s form in the Championship for Leeds United after predicting a 1-1 draw for the Hammers at Craven Cottage, Merson believes the Dutchman could struggle against Fulham’s defence.
He said: “West Ham have bought well but they need to get results. They have to start clicking together on the pitch soon.
“Crysencio Summerville might find it hard to impress, though. Every full-back in the Premier League is a full international so it’s not like the Championship, where he dominated.”
Crysencio Summerville needs to make statement for West Ham
As one of several new faces through the London Stadium doors this summer, Summerville wasn’t always guaranteed to hit the ground running – particularly given the step up from Championship level.
However, the 22-year-old has hardly been given much of a chance to assert himself in the top flight, featuring just twice off the bench so far in the Hammers’ Premier League campaign.
With the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen ahead of him in the pecking order out wide, Summerville may have to force his way into the team for any sort of consistent game time.
Providing game-changing moments off the bench was one of the Dutchman’s trademarks during Leeds’ last season in the Premier League, and there’ll be hope he can do the same in claret and blue.
Trusting him with a start in the next three league games – all London derbies – would show a flexibility that Irons fans are yet to see from Lopetegui, and put the onus on Summerville to make the most of his chance.
In other West Ham news, another new signing’s arrival has been seen as a coup following interest from a fellow Premier League club.
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