The main benefactor from Daniel James’s 11th-hour switch from Leeds United to Fulham was already inside Elland Road as the transfer window closed. From filing a request to leave in January for more playing time, Crysencio Summerville has become one of the key game-changers Jesse Marsch needs from the bench.
The 20-year-old has had to be patient and bide his time with the Whites. Since posting some scintillating form with the under-23s at the start of last season, the Dutch winger has had to watch Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood flourish with the first team.
Now, after a new contract and the illustrious number 10 shirt, Summerville could not have been given more backing by the Whites. James’s exit only underlined the faith the United hierarchy has in the former ADO Den Haag prospect.
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While it has been a steep learning curve for Summerville, he has found two allies in particular in the dressing room who have put an arm around him and proved his sounding board. Getting to grips with Marsch’s system has not been easy.
“In the beginning, I was getting used to the system and how Jesse wants me to play, but I got along well with the system and I am learning every day,” he told the club’s programme last month. “I’ve been speaking with Brenden Aaronson and Jack Harrison a lot.
“They’ve been helping me, so I am getting used to the system more and I am trying to get the best out of myself.”
Summerville was given 32 minutes from the bench at Brentford on Saturday, notably putting himself at the heart of the tackle which triggered Marsch’s red-card outburst. If the winger can keep impacting matches in the final third in the same way, he will only make it harder for Marsch to leave him on the bench.
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