Leeds United will be reunited with one of their former players on Friday night, as Crysencio Summerville returns to Elland Road with West Ham.
Crysencio Summerville was a firm favourite at Leeds after his 20 goals in the first season under Daniel Farke helped fire his side to the play-off final.
However, Summerville was one of the players who left Leeds after their Wembley heartbreak, as West Ham paid an initial £25 million for the tricky winger.
Summerville is now part of a West Ham side severely lacking in confidence and embroiled in a relegation battle with his former side, as they prepare for a crucial meeting at Elland Road.
It wasn’t meant to be like this for Summerville when he secured his move to the Premier League. His comments that day now seem a long way from coming true as he prepares for his Leeds reunion.
Crysencio Summerville during West Ham United v Brentford - Premier League
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Crysencio Summerville may regret first West Ham statement
As Leeds were heading to Wembley in the 2023/24 season, West Ham secured a ninth-place finish in the Premier League under David Moyes.
However, Moyes left at the end of the season and was replaced by Julen Lopetegui, who wasted no time in adding Summerville to his squad on a five-year deal, with an option for a sixth.
Speaking in the official statement following his unveiling as a West Ham player, Summerville outlined his lofty ambitions, stating: “It’s the perfect next step for my career. West Ham United is a huge Club, with lots of ambition and great players, so I’m really excited to be here and to get going.”
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West Ham United is delighted to announce the signing of Netherlands U21 international winger Crysencio Summerville.
The 22-year-old joins the Hammers from EFL Championship club Leeds United on a five-year deal with a one-year option for an undisclosed fee.
— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 3, 2024
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Before adding: “I think I’m here to help write more history here, and I’d love to help West Ham get back into Europe. I want to contribute lots of goals and assists, and I’m so excited to meet my teammates and the fans, and get out there now.”
However, Summerville’s first season with the Hammers did not go to plan, as they finished 14th in the Premier League, with the Dutch forward scoring just once in 22 appearances.
With West Ham firmly in the bottom three and preparing for a trip to the “unforgiving” Elland Road, he is in danger of finding himself in the division below his former club within two years of leaving.
Crysencio Summerville of Leeds United looks on during the Sky Bet Championship Play-off Final.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Leeds United need to manage stuttering West Ham attack
Leeds are expected to make several changes to the side that lost against Burnley, with Jaka Bijol potentially set for his Premier League debut in the Whites’ back four.
One of his main jobs will be to keep Summerville quiet as West Ham look to bounce back from their damaging defeat against Burnley.
West Ham’s attack has struggled to create so far this season, as they have taken the second fewest shots on goal, according to Opta, with just 76, ahead of Burnley in last place.
West Ham in 25/26 Total Premier League Rank
Goals Scored 6 18th
Expected Goals 7.01 17th
Shots 76 19th
xG per shot 0.09 =19th
The Hammers have also scored the third-fewest goals in the top flight, with six, and the fourth-lowest expected goals, with 7.01, to highlight their issues in the final third.
Whilst Leeds can undoubtedly take comfort from their opponents’ attacking woes, the fact that Burnley underperform West Ham in two of those three categories, having scored nine goals, means Farke’s side cannot afford to be complacent in defence.