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Leeds star tipped for the top as manager hits out at former club for letting big talent slip through net
Former Feyenoord manager Willem van Hanegem has let rip at his former side for allowing Crysensio Summerville to depart the club and join Leeds United for a knockdown fee back in summer 2020.
The 21-year-old winger has written himself into the Leeds United history books by scoring their winner at Anfield on Saturday. The Whites went into the game on the back of a dire run of form that has seen them slip to 19th in the Premier League. And having not won a game since August 21, few gave them any hope of a win at Liverpool.
But Leeds were good value for the win, and while Illan Meslier was named Man of the Match, the Whites had enjoyed the better of the first half. And when Summerville popped up late to poke a shot beyond Alisson’s grasp, few could deny them worthy of the win.
Indeed, Summerville’s goal has already sparked plenty of reaction with former winger Raphinha and reported target Noa Lang both commenting on the goal.
The strike has also created headlines in his native Holland, where Summerville has been quick to reflect on his journey.
Speaking after the game to Sky Sports, Summerville gave his reflections on his journey in the game.
“That’s right! As a young kid I played for Feyenoord. I always dreamed of playing in the Premier League. And to score at Anfield is just a dream for every kid. I can’t describe my feelings right now,” he said.
“I saw it, it went quickly. When you are in the box you have to think quickly so it just happened! It’s a huge moment for me and my family, scoring at Anfield – it’s a big moment for me.”
Feyenoord critcised over Summerville sale
With two goals in his last two games, Leeds fans are starting to see why the club rates the winger so highly.
Leeds paid a fee of around £1.35m to bring Summerville to the club from Feyenoord in September 2020.
At the time, the move raised few eyebrows and the winger – 21 on Sunday – has had to wait patiently for his chance.
Now he’s starting to look the part, leaving Van Hanegem to criticise Feyenoord for not doing more to keep him.
“The boys I saw in The Hague often played football on the street with Summerville in the past. Feyenoord had him in the house, but unfortunately he never broke through there,” he told Algemeen Dagblad.
“Yes, of course you could already see that he had the pure qualities. The club is now looking for those kind of players, small wingers with a quick action. For the Brazilian Igor Paixão, small, fast and agile, they even paid millions.
“When I see Summerville [at Leeds], I think: Feyenoord would have made it better in the long run. Had [they] done everything they could to keep him, even if they had Steven Berghuis in front of him. But at the time, Luciano Narsingh was also preferred, no idea why.”
Summerville making waves in the Netherlands
Leeds had the opportunity to let Summerville leave over the summer with the winger ultimately deciding to sign a new deal after being given a first-team promise by Jesse Marsch. It was for that reason why the club were happy to let Dan James leave for Fulham – to which they are now starting to reap the rewards.
And Van Hanegem claims Summerville is starting to make a name for himself in his homeland, even before his strike at Anfield.
However, his goal on Saturday has really propelled Summerville into the mainstream, especially in his native Rotterdam.
“The name Crysencio Summerville was very common there. How wonderful for that kid to score such an important goal for Leeds United at Anfield,” Van Hanegem added.
The challenge now for Summerville is to make himself undroppable for Leeds and Marsch. He has been featuring more regularly in recent weeks, making his full Premier League debut at Leicester. That said, he’s also benefited from a recent injury sustained by another Feyenoord old boy in Luis Sinisterra.
Truth is, had Sinisterra been fit on Saturday then Summerville may well have dropped to the bench.
However, it is perhaps now Jack Harrison who most finds his place in the side under some doubt. Leeds are next in action against Bournemouth at Elland Road on Saturday. And the side Marsch puts out will be of great interest, particularly after Summerville’s match-winning heroics.