Leeds United could struggle to hold on to ‘priceless’ Summerville next summer – Graham Smyth
Graham Smyth has lauded the impact of Crysencio Summerville this week, and claimed Leeds United will struggle to hold on to him should they fail in their bid for promotion.
Having been linked with a move away from the club in the summer, Summerville was the exception to a largely disappointing rule at Elland Road which saw several first-team stars depart.
Now though, after impressing so far in the early stages of the season, there has been a suggestion that there would be no holding him back if Leeds failed to gain promotion – but it would cost a large fee to see him leave.
Writing in his column for the Yorkshire Evening Post on 21 September, Smyth shared: “What the market would dictate as a price tag for such a player, at such a young age, with two and a half years left on his contract, is anyone’s guess but it would dwarf the £1.3m Leeds paid for him.
“There will be, you would think, no holding Summerville back next summer should Leeds not go up but right now they have themselves a priceless potential match-winner who can and will tear Championship defences apart.”
Smyth also applauded the Dutchman for his performance against Hull: “By performing as he did, even without managing to find the net and a victory that looked very possible prior to the red card, Summerville has laid a marker down for anyone who finds themselves sitting down come 3 pm on Saturday afternoon.”
“He has also served up another warning to the Championship that he will be a serious problem this season.”
Leeds delighted.
Summerville has been the stand-out player among several impressive showings despite an inconsistent start to the season at Elland Road. His performances, alongside those of new arrival Ethan Ampadu, have shone brightly despite some disappointing days so far.
He has adapted to a new role and a new style under Daniel Farke, having previously been used as an out-and-out winger by Jesse Marsch, and he has drifted into a more central role which has given him more of an influence and chance to see more of the ball.
This is a responsibility he has taken like a duck to water, and his performance against Hull despite the eventual disappointing draw was a summary of that. He was unlucky not to find the back of the net and also created the best chance of the game.
Leeds’ other star winger Willy Gnonto picked up an injury which forced his substitution, but if Summerville continues to perform like that, it doesn’t look like they’ll miss the Itlian too much.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay shared why one Leeds ace didn’t start against Hull.