Football pundit Paul Merson has been forced to rethink his initial scepticism about West Ham’s summer signing, Crysencio Summerville.
Summerville joined the Hammers from Leeds United in a £20 million deal, and while he had to be patient for his chance to shine, the Dutchman finally made his mark last week in a standout performance against Manchester United.
The 23-year-old arrived at West Ham with high expectations after an impressive season with Leeds, where he scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists.
Despite showing promise early in the season, Summerville struggled for consistent game time under Julen Lopetegui, who curiously overlooked him in favour of other options.
However, after his electric display against Manchester United, there’s little doubt that Summerville will be a fixture in West Ham’s upcoming matches.
This performance was hardly a surprise to those who followed his exploits at Leeds last season. While it’s unlikely he’ll replicate those stats at West Ham, he’s certainly on track to become a vital player for the team.
Paul Merson’s Surprising Crysencio Summerville Prediction
Merson has made a habit of delivering surprising and often controversial takes, and his assessment of Summerville was no exception.
In August, Merson cast doubt on the winger’s ability to adapt to the Premier League, despite his success in the Championship with Leeds.
“Crysencio Summerville was ripping it up in the Championship last season, but he will now be playing against better full-backs – we will have to wait and see,” Merson remarked.
Just a month later, he doubled down on his doubts, questioning whether Summerville would make an impact at West Ham.
“West Ham’s other new signing Crysencio Summerville might find it hard to impress, though,” Merson commented, seemingly unconvinced of the Dutchman’s potential at the London Stadium.
However, Summerville’s recent performance has left Merson with little choice but to reconsider his stance.
Against Manchester United, the winger showcased his explosive pace, smart movement, and fearless style of play, tormenting the opposition’s defence throughout the second half.
Summerville’s attributes—his speed, skill, and fearlessness—are precisely what West Ham have been missing, and his addition looks set to strengthen the team’s attacking options significantly.
His standout performance on Sunday was a clear statement of his capabilities and potential to succeed at the highest level.
With his Leeds form carrying over to West Ham, it’s difficult to understand Merson’s early doubts. Yet, seeing Summerville prove the pundit wrong is a satisfying outcome for Hammers fans who had confidence in their new signing.