Leeds United saw the departure of Crysencio Summerville to West Ham this summer, but the young winger has made it clear that Elland Road still houses plenty of talent.
After the club’s relegation in 2023, Daniel Farke took charge of a team in turmoil, yet one blessed with considerable talent across the pitch.
Summerville quickly emerged as the standout performer in Farke’s first season. However, players of his calibre are seldom content to linger in the Championship, and it was no surprise when he moved on following Leeds’ failure to secure promotion.
Summerville was destined to leave, and it was West Ham who ultimately secured his services. The Hammers activated his £25 million release clause, bringing him to the London Stadium.
Despite leaving the Championship behind, Summerville’s influence on the league remains undeniable. He was recently honoured with the PFA Championship Player of the Season award for August.
In an interview with Rising Ballers, Summerville was asked which Leeds player he believes will follow in his footsteps and rise to prominence.
Without hesitation, he named Mateo Joseph as the one to watch. This endorsement was echoed by Dean Huijsen, a Spain U21 teammate of Joseph’s and a rising star at Bournemouth.
Joseph, who has already found the back of the net this season, is showing signs of becoming a crucial player for Leeds. At just 20 years old, he’s beginning to display the kind of striker’s instinct and intelligence that could see him leading the line for the club for years to come.
His early-season form suggests there’s much more to come, and Leeds fans have every reason to be excited about his potential.
Summerville, who knows the Leeds setup well, clearly sees something special in Joseph. He understands the importance of having a prolific forward to spearhead the team’s attack.
If Joseph continues on his current trajectory, it may not be long before he’s leading Leeds back to the Premier League, where he could one day reunite with Summerville.
In Mateo Joseph, Leeds could have a striker capable of making a significant impact not just in the Championship, but potentially at the highest level.
His development will be one of the key storylines to follow as the season unfolds, and if he can deliver on his promise, Leeds United may have found their next star.