Crycensio Summerville now set for crucial Leeds United decision after what happened on Tuesday
Leeds United forward Crycensio Summerville now faces the prospect of a crucial decision at Elland Road after what happened on international duty on Tuesday [27 June].
The Elland Road wonder signed a new contract until 2026 last summer and was handed the number ten shirt following Raphinha’s inevitable exit to Barcelona, becoming a regular feature in the team.
Despite the Whites’ disappointing relegation to the Championship, the 21-year-old still enjoyed something of a breakthrough season scoring four goals and two assists from 28 Premier League games.
The Telegraph reported on June 20 that Summerville was keen on a move away, with Everton and his former club Feyenoord both said to be interested in his services.
And the 21-year-old recently admitted in an interview he does not know where his future lies and is well-focused on his international commitments with the Under-21s.
“I would not know yet whether I will play for Leeds next season. I also hear and read all kinds of things, but I do not want to be involved in that now. I have therefore asked my agent to keep all interest away from me for the time being. The first target is the Dutch juniors. I want to win. I am hungry,” he told Voetball International, as reported by 1908 (27 June).
However, things haven’t gone according to plan in his international ambitions and the talented forward may now be set for a key transfer decision on his future at Elland Road after the Netherlands U21s’ disappointing exit from the EUROs on Tuesday [27 June] at the hands of Georgia after a lacklustre performance in their 1-1 draw.
The Dutch youngsters could only manage a third consecutive draw in a row against the tournament hosts on Tuesday evening, which saw them go crashing out of the tournament by a single point.
It’s no secret that Leeds United will be undergoing plenty of change during the off-season which the West Yorkshire club resigned to losing a number of their key stars because of the ending of their three-year Premier League tenure.
With star players such as Wilfried Gnonto, Jack Harrison, Tyler Adams, and Rodrigo all almost guaranteed to be targeted by top clubs this summer and an exit seemingly inevitable, Leeds may well be tempted to do everything they can to keep Summerville at Elland Road, given his contract at the club runs until 2026.
This season in the Premier League the 21-year-old managed four goals and two assists from 12 starts, but there were plenty of substitute appearances too that showed he isn’t quite the finished article yet.
The Championship has proven a crucial tool for up-and-coming stars in the past and given the amount of talent Leeds United could be potentially losing before the 2023/24 campaign kicks off means they simply cannot afford to lose a player of Summerville’s potential.
The Whites must hand the player a future incentive or guarantee to ensure he remains at Elland Road next season.
A year in the Championship as the main man of the attack could really aid his development and maturity, and he has also shown on plenty of occasions that he is good enough to be that man to take the club back to the Premier League.
However, it remains the fleet forward’s decision whether he decides to remain at Elland Road beyond the summer. His future and development certainly rests on his shoulders.
Leeds United are still in a strong position though, given his contract status and any offer which comes in from potential suitors will have to be a rather considerable and tempting offer if the Whites are to accept it.
In other Leeds United news, an update has been provided on the ongoing hunt for a new manager.