Liverpool’s New Target: Leeds’ Dutch Sensation
This weekend has seen a surprising name come to the fore, as Liverpool have been linked to Leeds United winger, Crysencio Summerville. The Championship’s current 4th placed team are enjoying a very fine season, which should see the midlands club participate in the end of season play offs. Southampton and Ipswich Town are the closest to promotion certainties, Leicester City. Though many would have considered Archie Gray as the more likely Anfield signing for the upcoming summer, the recent link to his Dutch teammate shows that the regeneration will be an ongoing enterprise. Continual improvement is now a necessity for the Anfield giants, or the same tired and stale group from the 2022/23 campaign will merely have a new face in two years.
Crysencio Summerville
Dutch ✅
Scored against Liverpool ✅
Pressing machine ✅Need I say more? pic.twitter.com/foGZuubbUC
— The Kop Watch (@TheKopWatch) January 5, 2024
Crysencio Summerville: A Rising Star
- Club – Leeds
- Nationality – Dutch
- Age – 22-years-old DOB – 30/10/2001
- Height – 5ft 9inch
- Weight – 62kg
- Playing Positions – RW / LW
- Senior Appearances – 104 games
- Senior Goals / Assists – 23 goals / 13 assists
- Contract Expiry – June 30 2026
- Transfermarkt Value – €18m
- Projected Cost of Deal – €30m
Background of Prolific Wide-man
With a mightily impressive twelve goals and six assists in just 24-games so far this season, the eight-cap Dutch under-21 winger is someone that has already attracted the interest of Brighton, as well as a few others. Despite having over two years to run on his current Elland Road contract, this summer will represent the last opportunity to maximize a profitable sale for the promotion hunters. A product of the famous Feyenoord academy, the lightning heeled wide-man never actually played for his hometown club, instead found playing time at other venues. Two loans were undertaken whilst under contract at the Rotterdam club, as FC Dordrecht and then ADO Den Haag, became the destinations for his early days in senior football. Eventually, Leeds United signed the player for an undisclosed fee, in September 2020. the progression and importance of the talented flyer has been largely gradual; however, this last half season has acted as the true break out of one of the Championship’s best performers.
Where Would Summerville Fit at Anfield?
As the 2024 African Cup of Nations becomes a reality, many sides across Europe and the other region’s will be bidding farewell to important footballing assets, with a desire to see their players do well, tempered by the need to have them return as soon as possible. Liverpool have already lost Wataru Endō to the Asia Cup, where he will be hoping to captain Japan to glory. Concerning the upcoming AFCON, Mohamed Salah leads Egypt into their own tournament, with a burning desire to eradicate their final loss two years ago. For weeks now, the Liverpool fanbase have argued and commented on how to replace the legendary forward for this next month or so, given he is a world class player that is almost always available. Harvey Elliott seems to be the preferred candidate, as Diogo Jota and Luis Díaz join the conversation of names that can play on the right. Ultimately, Liverpool requires a pure back up that can play sporadically over the coming years, as the Egyptian King approaches his mid-thirties.
Crysencio Summerville is the only player in the entire top four tiers of English football this season who is both having 3+ shots per 90 minutes (3.4) and creating 3+ chances per 90 minutes (3.4). All action. #lufc pic.twitter.com/IMhETG08j8
— Jonny Cooper (@JRCooper26) January 2, 2024
In scouting and potentially targeting a summer move for another Dutch international, they would be focusing in a player that has now surpassed his apprenticeship years. Despite Leeds being somewhat in the ascendancy, the ambition in the player may see him primed for a step up in class. Both Ben Doak and Kaide Gordon are already on the Liverpool fringes, yet would benefit more from a loan away from Merseyside next season. To ensure their own development is as required, a look at the Harvey Elliott experience at Blackburn, would point to what is needed. In that circumstance (where younger reds can head out on their own loans), signing a pure wing option with over 100-games experience and a recent track record of production, would be very beneficial to the ongoing regeneration.
Summerville’s Off-ball Enterprise
In addition to the attacking instincts of the future full international, Crysencio Summerville is also a player that works relentlessly within an off-ball enterprise to regain possession. Some questions of desire and work rate have been levelled at Ryan Gravenberch this season, therefore, to sign someone with both the skill and mindset of the Yorkshire star would be a very fitting addition within Jürgen Klopp’s v2.0