Crysencio Summerville is acutely aware of the "absurd" quality that Raphinha possesses, labelling the Brazilian superstar as the best player he has played with.
Summerville played alongside Raphinha at Elland Road, with the Whites signing Raphinha for £17m from Rennes in October 2020. The dynamic forward produced a string of eye-catching performances to earn a big-money move to Spanish giants Barcelona less than two years later.
In a conversation with Voetbal International, as quoted by Voetbal Primeur, West Ham United winger Summerville said: “I always say this to everyone in my circle, Raphinha is the best player I’ve ever played with.
“With all due respect to the others, but what I’ve seen from him… Not only his gift and his talent, but also the work he puts in. It’s absurd.”
Summerville, who departed United in the summer transfer window in a £25m deal after playing an instrumental role in their promotion push last term, admits he tried to play like Raphinha in training at Thorp Arch. “He always said, ‘Cry, the qualities you have… Show them’. In training, I tried to play like him," said Summerville, who has been in and out of the Hammers starting line-up.
“Then I got more courage and I also thought, ‘You know Cry, just do it, show your qualities, work hard’.”
Raphinha endured a slow start to his Barcelona career but has been in superb form this term, contributing 14 goals and providing 10 assists in 20 appearances across all competitions. Barcelona sit top of La Liga after 15 matches, a point ahead of Real Madrid.
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