West Ham United without Crysencio Summerville just now seems unthinkable: The diminutive winger is the Hammers’ most potent goal threat and was electric at Anfield. He has been in his richest vein of form in a Claret and Blue shirt, having scored six times in the previous eight outings since December
If the Irons are to climb out of their precarious position it will more than likely be Summerville’s goals that see them complete the ‘Great Escape 2.0’.
This time last year, however, the outlook was very different. Summerville had completed just 45 minutes under Graham Potter before his hamstring injury sidelined him and ultimately led him to miss the whole of the second half of the season and endure surgery last April.
Summerville after surgery last summer: His inspiration to perform this year
Talking yesterday to whufc.com, the Dutch forward has spoken of how he uses that frustrating time on the sidelines to fire himself up for his side’s current relegation crisis:
“I think after a frustrating season where I got injured, it was more like a push, a challenge for myself to come back even better. I’m just happy to be back on the pitch with the team as well and show my ability to the fans, what they’ve been waiting for. Again, you can tell on the pitch it’s just enjoyable to play.”
And becoming a father for the first time evidently inspires him too:
“I think it motivates me even more. When she grows up, I want her to remember ‘Daddy worked hard for you’ and I want to give her the best childhood.”
Finally delivering on the potential of his Leeds form of 2024 that was rewarded with the ‘player of the championship’ title, Summerville now has the chance to carve for himself a Carlos Tevez-like niche in West Ham’s history by engineering another half dozen goals to help the Hammers climb out of the bottom three.
Starting at Craven Cottage, preferably. Now that really would feel like ‘showtime’.