There was a point, a few weeks ago — before Crysencio Summerville hit his scoring streak — when I genuinely wondered whether he might fall into that familiar category: too good for the Championship, but not quite consistent enough for the Premier League.
I even found myself automatically pencilling the Dutchman in as one of those who would stay and thrive if West Ham were relegated.
Not anymore.
Recent form has firmly shifted Summerville into the bracket of players who are likely to leave at the end of the season. His performances have changed my doubts completely.
I was never quite sure whether he might turn out to be another Saïd Benrahma — easy on the eye, but short on end product. Instead, Summerville has stepped up when it matters.
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And if yesterday’s update from Fabrizio Romano is anything to go by, West Ham came close to losing him as recently as last week.
According to Romano, the Hammers rejected two January approaches — one from the Premier League and another from Serie A — with more clubs expected to return in July.
Too Many Stars, Too Few Points
Summerville now joins a growing list of players widely viewed as too good for the Championship, should the worst happen.
That list already includes Jarrod Bowen, Jean-Clair Todibo, Mateus Fernandes, Aaron Wan-Bissaka — and now Summerville himself.
All players likely to attract interest from clubs with European pedigree.
Which rather begs the obvious question.
If West Ham have this many top-level players… why are we rooted near the foot of the table?
It’s rhetorical, of course.
Answers on a postcard.