Report: What Julen Lopetegui promised Crysencio Summerville when he joined West Ham from Leeds
Today at 01:15 PM
Much like West Ham United's season as a whole, Crysencio Summerville's start in east London since joining from Leeds United has been a tale of frustration.
Summerville has started both of West Ham's EFL Cup fixtures thus far but only once in the Premier League.
The Dutch winger got the nod in West Ham's 3-0 loss against Chelsea at the London Stadium, when Julen Lopetegui decided to play without a traditional striker.
Jarrod Bowen played as the number nine with Summerville and Mohamed Kudus on either flank.
That being said, it was only 54 minutes until the 22-year-old was hooked for Michail Antonio when the Hammers were losing convincingly.
A frustrating start, and perhaps Summerville's chances are the least of Lopetegui's concerns right now, who is still fighting to prove that he was the right man to replace David Moyes.
Crysencio Summerville is still waiting for his chance at West Ham
That being said, given that Kudus will now be suspended for a period following his red card for violent conduct against Tottenham Hotspur, there's an opportunity for Summerville.
The Athletic have now shared an article with details why Summerville actually chose West Ham over several other clubs when leaving Leeds this summer.
READ MORE: West Ham accused of having a 'problem' player who simply cannot run in their team
According to the report, Lopetegui and West Ham's former assistant first-team coach John Heitinga were crucial to convincing the Leeds man.
Lopetegui assured Summerville over his game time at West Ham, something the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool couldn't necessarily do.
Tim Steidten also laid out a challenge to the winger, encouraging him to try and match the success of Edson Alvarez and Kudus who joined in 2023.
Time for Lopetegui to deliver on his Summerville promise
As mentioned, now seems like the perfect time for Lopetegui to come good on his word, he has the opportunity to integrate Summerville properly.
Perhaps West Ham will perceive that they have three winnable fixtures before the next international break in November.
It seems unlikely that a team struggling to gel under their new boss will take nine points from those games, especially given they're down in 15th, but perhaps a win or two is afoot.
And Summerville will certainly be determined to prove that he was the right signing in the summer, a player who thrived in the Championship last season.
