Leeds United: Journalist stunned by Crysencio Summerville’s new number choice

Leeds United have allowed young prospect Crysencio Summerville to take the vacant number 10 squad number following Raphinha’s departure this summer. 

And journalist Graham Smyth has suggested on the Inside Elland Road podcast that this is a huge sign of confidence from Victor Orta.

It has been a turbulent number of months, in a sense, for the Dutch forward, who hoped for a loan move back in January under Marcelo Bielsa before an exit never materialised.

Just a number of months on, Summerville has put pen to paper on a new deal which will see his contractual stay at Elland Road extended through until 2026.

And adding to this statement of the club’s confidence in the 20-year-old, he has been allowed to take the number left behind by the recent £55m departure.

Smyth offered his take on the development, saying: “He came to Leeds and kind of wasn’t ready, evidently, for Marcelo Bielsa’s team, and so had to bide his time. And even last season had to bide his time again – had to bide his time under Marsch, too.

“Always find it interesting when Marsch said that Crysencio was, I think, was the term ‘engaging more and more’ with the squad, or ‘being more engaged with the squad’, which I think was just a little tell from the manager, just as to what the situation was with Summerville.

“And he’s had to be patient. And it’s interesting to me that they’re given him the number 10 shirt – almost like a little extra push from Victor Orta there to Summerville to go and prove it this season.”

TIF Thoughts on Smyth’s comments…

Raphinha is certainly leaving huge boots to fill following a seriously impressive 2021/22 campaign that saw the 25-year-old net 11 goals in the Premier League to help keep Leeds up.

Summerville is still yet to play a major role in the first team at Leeds, with just nine appearances to his name, which has equalled 125 minutes in the Premier League (via Transfermarkt).

However, he is still a young prospect, and with new signing Luis Sinisterra ruled out through injury, could this now be the chance Summerville needed to show Jesse Marsch what he can do?