Crysencio Summerville is ready to put sentiment to one side as he gets set to go up against one of his oldest friends during Monday night’s enticing Premier League clash with Brentford.
The Netherlands youth international grew up in Rotterdam alongside Antoni Milambo and his family, and so was understandably delighted when his fellow Feyenoord Academy graduate joined him in the Premier League when signing for the Bees in July.
The bond between the Summervilles and the Milambos runs so deep in fact that two of Antoni’s brothers, Manuel and Yaset, were at our No7’s side at Rush Green when he sealed his switch to West Ham from Leeds United in August 2024.
Indeed, there is a reunion in store in the London Stadium stands when the Irons host Keith Andrews’ west Londoners under the lights, but Summerville is clear that he will be fully focused on securing three important points for his side until the final whistle is blown.
“I grew up with Antoni and his two brothers!” Summerville smiled. “We’re from the same neighbourhood, and lived only about five minutes away from each other, so we used to play football together and hang out.
“Antoni’s like my little brother, and I was so pleased when he came to the Premier League in the summer. We’ve never played against each other before, but we always said we would, and now the dream is coming true.
“Our families are going to sit together, and hopefully we’ll have chance to spend a bit of time together after the match. I also know Sepp van den Berg from Brentford’s squad, having played with him in the Netherlands age-groups, so it will be good to catch up with him as well.
“Hopefully it’s all after a big West Ham win, though. We know it’s an important game, and we’re all determined to put what we’ve been working on into practice to get the three points.”
After announcing his return from a long-term injury lay-off with an impressive substitute appearance at Nottingham Forest in late August, when he inspired three late goals and a 3-0 win over the Tricky Trees, Summerville has started each of West Ham’s last four outings in the Premier League.
Having picked up the Man of the Match award away at Everton and then completed his first 90 minutes for nine months against Arsenal last time out, in Nuno Espírito Santo’s first two games in charge, the 23-year-old is determined to play a key role in driving his team up the table over the coming weeks.
Summerville added: “It was the first big injury of my career last season, and it was hard. But I was happy with what happened against Nottingham Forest, because it helped show me that all the hard work was worth it, and made me feel like I was really back.
“Since then, I’ve stayed fit, and now I just want to keep improving and have a big impact in the rest of the season. It’s been nearly a year since I scored for the Club, so it would be great to get on the scoresheet soon, too.
“It’s been great working with him (Nuno) so far. He wants me to just do my thing, and be free in the final third while doing the basics well in defence. That’s what a winger wants to hear, and that’s what I’m trying to do. He understands my strengths, and he wants me to make the most of those, so that’s what I’ll be looking to do on Monday night!”
To hear more from Summerville, in an exclusive interview in which he discusses his upbringing, his unorthodox route into Academy football, the importance of family and his Surinamese heritage, purchase a copy of Monday night's Official Programme HERE.
