Dutch boss Ronald Koeman admits he was planning to hand West Ham United winger Crysencio Summerville a first Netherlands call-up before his recent injury.
The Hammers were without Summerville for a second successive Premier League match when they lost 2-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday.
After that defeat in the Midlands, Nuno Espirito Santo said his number seven was ‘improving’ ahead of a planned return in the FA Cup quarter-finals with former employers Leeds after the international break.
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A graphic on a quote from Jean-Clair Todibo on Crysencio Summerville reading: "When he takes the ball, I think everyone is scared in the league."
Credit: Getty Images/Rob Newell – CameraSport
Much to the disappointment of Ronald Koeman, Crysencio Summerville would not be passed fit for the Netherlands’ March double header against Norway and Ecuador.
West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville misses out on Dutch call-up
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, via FlashScore, former Everton, Southampton and Barcelona coach Koeman shared his plans for Crysencio Summerville ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
“He was set to be called up for this international break,” Koeman said. “If he stays fit, I see him more as a squad player than the young prospects we’ve given a chance in the past.
Crysencio Summerville during West Ham United v Sunderland - Premier League
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
“He also plays in a position where we don’t have much depth. And based on our assessment, he’s making fantastic progress.
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“If he had been fit, I would have called him up.
“I don’t know what kind of character he has, no, but that is the bad luck we have. But from what I have heard and seen, I don’t think I need to worry about that!”
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Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United celebrates the win after the Premier League match between Fulham and West Ham United at Craven Cottage in London, England, on March 4, 2026.
Nuno Espirito Santo says Summerville is ‘improving’
Mateus Fernandes earned his first-ever Portugal call-up this month. Summerville will have to wait, however. There is now a chance that he could be included in the World Cup squad having only been part of Koeman’s roster for a matter of weeks.
Talk about being thrown in at the deep end.
“We are assessing day by day,” Nuno told Sky Sports at Villa Park on Sunday. “He is improving, but it is too soon to tell the exact date he will return.
“Hopefully he returns and gives us a hand.”
The Rotterdam-born Summerville has represented the Netherlands at youth level, from the Under-16s to the Under-21s.
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