Jesse Marsch admitted in the run up to Leeds United’s game with Liverpool on Saturday that he was simply “sick” of losing.
It’s easy to see why he felt like that. His men hadn’t won a game of football in the league since remarkably defeating Chelsea 3-1 at Elland Road in August.
How they must love to play the country’s elite week in, week out as they finally ended a run of eight games without a win with a victory over Jurgen Klopp’s side.
It was the Reds’ first defeat at Anfield in the Premier League since March 2021 and they had a host of players to thank. Illan Meslier was a titan in goal but it was Crysencio Summerville who ultimately came up with the winning goal.
The Dutchman became a Leeds player in the summer of 2020 but was rather alienated from the first team picture by Marcelo Bielsa. That decision, certainly on recent form, would appear to be a mistake.
Marsch has taken a strong liking to the 21-year-old who was rewarded with a new deal last summer and given the number 10 shirt in a strong display of faith by the club.
That number had been worn previously by Raphinha and very quickly, he’s looking like the heir apparent to the now Barcelona star.
The Brazilian departed a few months ago with Leeds looking towards Cody Gakpo as his potential replacement. He ultimately stayed at PSV with Victor Orta securing the signature of Luis Sinisterra who has shown in glimpses that he could make a similar impact at Elland Road.
However, the Colombian is now on a run of four games without a goal and has even served a suspension for a red card against Aston Villa.
While his form deteriorates, Summerville’s only gets better. The £2.7m-rated talent has now started in two of the last three league fixtures and has two goals to show for his efforts.
He made an impact off the bench by scoring his first senior goal for the club in the defeat to Fulham before his late winner at Anfield marked the finest moment of his embryonic career to date.
It was a sweeping finish that sparked bedlam amongst the travelling support and he now looks like an incredibly exciting option for Marsch and his coaching staff.
Summerville doesn’t quite have the tenacity of Raphinha yet but his enchanting and captivating ability with the ball at his feet certainly sparks similarities.
When in full flight, the Dutchman is seemingly a bag of tricks with the ball glued to his feet in tight situations.
Described as a “speed merchant” during his time with the U21s and as “unplayable” by Beren Cross, it would appear that his days of not quite being good enough for first-team football are over.
Summerville is here to stay and he is here to finally replace Raphinha.
