Crysencio Summerville is a man desperate to make up for lost time and, if West Ham United’s 3-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest last time out is anything to go by, there is a lot more brilliance to come.
Just moments after stepping onto the field, making his first appearance since that season-ending hamstring injury eight months previously, the former Leeds star assisted Jarrod Bowen’s opener.
Crysencio Summerville then drew a penalty from Ibrahim Sangare – West Ham tried to sign the Nottingham Forest midfielder on loan but on this evidence they may have had a lucky escape – before also playing a key role in Callum Wilson’s stoppage time, icing-on-the-cake header.
Graham Potter’s side host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening, with Summerville hoping to build on his electrifying cameo a fortnight previously.
Crysencio Summerville makes ‘guarantee’ to West Ham United fans
Speaking to the club’s official website, Summerville insists that there is a lot more to come.
A man who joined from Leeds in a £30 million deal during the summer of 2024 is understandably determined to belatedly live up to his hefty price tag.
“I think the last eight months have been about motivating myself every day,” says the Feyenoord academy graduate.
“It’s challenging, but I have the right people in my environment, and they help me a lot, and I’m happy with my own mindset as well because I can guarantee you that some people would give up, but I tried to motivate myself every day to be the best version of myself and to be back as quick as possible.
“I’ve enjoyed being part of the squad again over the last couple of weeks and trained with a couple of the new players already, so I can’t wait to play with them more in the games and to achieve great things with them.
“The victory [at Nottingham Forest] was very important, and I hope we can build some momentum from this. I hope this is a really good start for us and it can kickstart our season.
“For me it’s important to get some minutes. I see every game now as a final, and I’m just very grateful and happy to be back. I hope I can stay fit, and then I can guarantee you it’s going to be a great season for me with loads of goals and assists.
“Everyone knows I’m a big game player, so I love to play against all the big teams, and I think everyone is looking forward to the Tottenham Hotspur game.
“We are sharp, we are ready, and we can’t wait.”
Graham Potter backs Summerville to kick on ahead of Tottenham Hotspur clash
In the space of two minutes on the banks of the Trent, Summerville equalled his tally of assists from the whole of the 2024/25 season.
Graham Potter is confident Summerville can kick on now and ease the burden on Jarrod Bowen in the final third, starting with Tottenham tomorrow.
“It’s great to have him. [Summerville] gives us another dimension,” Potter said during his press conference on Thursday. “It’s been a long road with setbacks, so credit to him. He’s shown that mental strength.
“Now, we just need to help him enjoy his football because, if we do that, he is a big help for us.”
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