Crysencio Summerville’s return to action at West Ham United has brought plenty of promise but, as yet, relatively little end-product.
Yes, Summerville won back possession in the build-up to Taty Castellanos’ goal in the 4-0 obliteration of Wolves at the London Stadium. But on that free-scoring Friday night and the dull draw with Crystal Palace ten days later, West Ham United’s number seven looked very much like a footballer attempting to rediscover his rhythm.
Everton’s arrival in East London on Saturday, though, should see Crysencio Summerville pitted against Jake O’Brien; David Moyes’ reluctant right-back.
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Crysencio Summerville could run riot when West Ham United host Everton
O’Brien, a 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international, has started all but two of Everton’s 33 Premier League matches this season; the majority of his appearances coming on the right-hand side of the backline.
At 6ft 6ins, O’Brien feels like a throwback to the days before the Dani Alves, Marcelo-driven evolution of the modern full-back.
While a dependable presence more often than not – a key reason why Jordan Pickford is currently joint-third in the Golden Glove race – there have certainly been occasions in which O’Brien has looked like a towering centre-half played out of position.
O’Brien struggled with the tricky Willy Gnonto during the 1-0 opening weekend defeat at Leeds. The likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Harvey Barnes have caused the former Lyon giant problems too with their direct running and explosive pace.
And in a 4-2 home defeat by Bournemouth in January, O’Brien was caught out by a pass in behind to the jet-fuelled Amine Adli; a straight red card the punishment for a desperate, late challenge.
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“O’Brien’s return to right-back was a risk that did not pay off,” noted the Liverpool Echo. “A specialist right-back is desperately needed.”
“O’Brien is struggling with his defensive duties, with his lack of pace and agility proving a problem against some of the Premier League’s tricky wingers,” added Hammers News’ sister site Everton News.
West Ham’s best route to goal against an Everton side with the third-most clean sheets and the third-best defensive record in the Premier League, then, may involve isolating O’Brien one-v-one with Crysencio Summerville.
The Dutchman hasn’t scored a league goal since the 1-0 win at Fulham. His one and only assist came against Nottingham Forest in August, when Nuno Espirito Santo was in the other dugout.
Saturday would be a good time to get back on the ‘goal contribution’ trail.
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