Sport nationKalvin Phillips, the former Leeds United midfielder, played a crucial role in encouraging his ex-teammate Crysencio Summerville to make the switch to West Ham United this summer. Summerville, who won the Championship Player of the Season last campaign, completed a £25m move to the London club, and Phillips’ endorsement of the club’s behind-the-scenes staff and squad was a significant factor in his decision.
Phillips, who left Leeds in 2022 to join Manchester City for £45m, has struggled to settle at the Etihad Stadium and is currently on loan at Ipswich Town. Despite his own career nosedive, Phillips’ opinion still carries weight, and his praise for West Ham’s staff, player care team, and squad was enough to convince Summerville that the move was right for him.
Summerville has only started once since joining West Ham, but manager Julen Lopetegui has shown his faith in the Dutch winger by handing him the No.7 shirt. The 22-year-old’s move to West Ham was one of several high-profile departures from Leeds United over the summer transfer window. Archie Gray joined Tottenham for £40m, while Georginio Rutter completed a big-money move to the Premier League.
Leeds United’s squad was picked apart over the summer, with 14 players leaving Elland Road permanently. Six of those departures were as free agents, leaving manager Daniel Farke with a significant rebuilding job on his hands. Farke made late signings of Ao Tanaka, Isaac Schmidt, and Manor Solomon to replace the departed players, but only time will tell if he has sufficiently improved his squad.
The loss of Summerville, in particular, was a blow for Leeds, given his impressive form last season. However, with Phillips’ encouragement, he has made the move to West Ham, where he will hope to establish himself as a Premier League regular.
Amina Umar
Sport Nation 2
Sport nation