It is still too early to say that West Ham United’s late fightback against relegation has worked, but it would have almost certainly been impossible without Crysencio Summerville.
That much is obvious. Indeed, Summerville has been one of the best players in the Premier League in 2026, scoring five goals while registering one assist as West Ham United look to avoid the dreaded drop.
This team stays up ahead of Spurs 😎
Only debate is Dinos or Todibo….
A graphic showing West Ham United's strongest XI.
Credit: GRV Media
As such, the Dutchman has earned the praise of a former West Ham captain in Kevin Nolan.
Kevin Nolan praises Crysencio Summerville
Speaking on talkSPORT after it was put to him that the winger had shone in recent weeks just as the relegation race was heating up, Nolan said: “Incredible in this run in, and [Jarrod] Bowen on the other side.
“A lot of them have stepped up to the plate, they’re playing in a system now that suits the players and the people who they’ve got in the building.”
How much is a trophy worth? Would you take relegation if it meant winning the FA Cup? 🏆
Imagine us going full Wigan vibes 👀
A general view of the FA Cup trophy at Wembley.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
The only concern about Summerville right now is his fitness after suffering a calf injury against Brentford in the FA Cup earlier this month.
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Hammers News understands that Summerville could return from injury after the international break, although it remains to be seen if Nuno Espirito Santo risks him right away.
West Ham play Leeds in an FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday, but the much bigger game will see them host Wolves in the Premier League less than a week later.
Anything other than three points there would be catastrophic to their chances of Premier League survival.
Crysencio Summerville in action for West Ham
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
With that in mind, it would perhaps be foolish to rush the Dutchman back into action.
While West Ham’s FA Cup campaign is important, what happens in the Premier League has to be the club’s priority.
Summerville, then, should be given the night off even if he is fully fit for the Leeds game. There would be little sense in taking any risks, given the sheer magnitude of the Wolves game just around the corner.
Safety rests on his fitness and while the FA Cup cannot be discounted entirely, the Wolves game is simply much more important right now.
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