Crysencio Summerville was one of the best and most exciting West Ham United signings in the summer.
Incredibly, Crysencio Summerville has actually admitted that he told his father two years ago that he wanted to play for West Ham one day.
West Ham signed Crysencio Summerville from Leeds for just £20 million in the summer transfer window (Florian Plettenberg) – outstanding value in this day and age.
I have no doubts that the 22-year-old Dutchman will be a huge hit under Julen Lopetegui at the London Stadium, despite some pundits including the likes of Paul Merson questioning whether he has what it takes to make it in the Premier League.
With patience and time from the fans and the coaching staff, I’m sure that he will be a great success in East London.
However, in the present day, a new claim has come to light about something very surprising that led to Summerville’s switch from Elland Road to the London Stadium earlier this summer.
You won’t believe who helped West Ham sign Crysencio Summerville
The speedy winger hasn’t been given many minutes by Lopetegui so far, but his best days for the club definitely lie ahead of him.
But how did the transfer to West Ham come about? There were certainly plenty of top clubs in for the 22-year-old.
Well, you won’t believe the name of one man who helped convince Summerville to join the Hammers.
Kalvin Phillips played a key role in the left winger’s transfer to the London Stadium, according to The Athletic:
“Former Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who struggled during his six-month spell at West Ham, encouraged Summerville to join when he sought his opinion. Phillips praised staff behind the scenes, the player care team and how likeable the squad is. He stressed Summerville would have no issues settling in.”
That really has blown my mind.
Phillips endured a truly horrific four-month spell at the London Stadium, and he was one of the most unpopular players I can remember at West Ham.
Gabby Agbonlahor actually criticised the Hammers fans for Phillips’ struggles at the club, but I disagree.
I think all of his problems were of his own making. He wasn’t fit enough and didn’t play with the hunger and determination that was expected of him.
The former Leeds midfielder surely didn’t enjoy his time at the London Stadium, so the fact that he spoke so glowingly about us to Summerville really is a big shock.
What will Summerville bring to West Ham
First and foremost, he’s absolutely rapid, and that pace is something we really need across the front-line.
I actually believe that the end goal could well be to have Jarrod Bowen play through the middle, Mohammed Kudus out wide on the right, Lucas Paqueta in the number 10 role and Summerville in the left wing position.
Summerville plays with a certain kind of youthful exuberance and fearlessness that we don’t really possess right now.
Lopetegui will undoubtedly give the former Leeds man time to adapt to his system and footballing philosophy at the London Stadium.
When it clicks for him though, he will be a tremendous player for the Hammers, mark my words.
Crysencio Summerville has a bright and prosperous future ahead of him at West Ham United.