Crysencio Summerville endured an injury-hit first season at West Ham United but - still feeling like a new signing - our No7 is ready to show east London, and the Premier League, what he is truly capable of.
After arriving at the Club in August 2024, the 23-year-old was finding his rhythm in the opening months of last campaign, slowly but surely exercising his flair and skill in Claret and Blue.
Those in attendance at London Stadium were more than off their seats after Summerville’s heroics when Manchester United visited the capital in October 2024.
Busting a gut to get into the right place at the right time, Summerville poked the ball home at the back post to give the Hammers lift-off in the 74th minute, and his goal proved to be pivotal, as despite Casemiro salvaging an equaliser, captain Jarrod Bowen came up with the goods from the spot to secure a much-needed three points at home.
Fast forward to January 2025, and Summerville was named in the starting line-up for Graham Potter’s first match in charge of the Hammers, an Emirates FA Cup tie at Aston Villa, only to be withdrawn in the first half due to a hamstring injury, which he later underwent successful surgery on in April.
Since then, Summerville has been battling a road to recovery, navigating that path with the support of his teammates day-by-day.
He travelled with Potter’s squad to the Black Forest of southern Germany for their pre-season training camp this week, keeping the bonds strong as he continues to work on getting back to full fitness.
Not being able to contribute last season was tough for Summerville, but he’s hungry, locked in and ready to make the 2025/26 season his.
Cry, how are you and how has the week here in Germany been?
“I'm very good.
“I'm happy to be back with the team, to be involved. It's been a while because I was training on my own, but it feels good to be back with the boys.”
What have you missed the most about football in that time when you were on your own?
“I would say playing football, being with the guys, being involved, even if it is having lunch together.
“I’ve been training at different times to others, and have been on my own because I've had my own programme.”
What have you learnt? What has this setback taught you about yourself?
“I think when you play, you don't really think about injuries.
“So the one thing I have learnt is that you have to be grateful to be on the pitch and to come off the pitch healthy as well. I think it's part of the game, and I'm just grateful to be on the way back.
“Everyone gets a setback at some point in their career, but it's the way you bounce back.
“I feel ready, so I'm happy I'm on the right track now.
“I love football; I breathe football, so I'm just hungry. I can tell you I'm very hungry, ready and locked in, and I can't wait to be back on the pitch.”
You're on the road to getting back physically fit, but how have you stayed mentally sharp during this period?
“I think my people helped me a lot.
“They try to push me. So that's also a hard part because it's not on me to choose when I'm back. When I'm ready, I'm back.
“But when I'm back, you're going to see a lot of excitement.
“I feel like what I put in my mind, it's like sometimes you have to wait for a bigger blessing to happen.
“I feel hungry and excited for the new season. When you're injured, you have to work three times harder.
“This summer was a bit different from the rest, but I feel very locked in with myself.
“I think the mental part was harder this year. I think everyone wants to play. You want to do what you love the most. I wasn't able to help the team and to contribute to the season, and I think mentally it was really tough for me.
“But, as I said, people helped me a lot, and I always try to be positive. Even when I'm down, I try to lift people up, so I expect the same from them, and I'm happy with the people around me.”
Away from football and West Ham, have you done anything differently this summer?
“I started to play golf for the first time. It was really nice to do it.
“I played some padel as well, so it was nice to have some time off. Obviously, also being with the family a bit more, and seeing them too.
“But for me, I just want to play football, so it was nice to have some time off, but if you asked me if I would do it again, I would say no.”
Everyone at West Ham is excited to see you back in a Claret and Blue shirt. What excites you the most about coming back?
“It feels for me like I'm still a new signing because I didn't play much last season, so I couldn't show my ability.
“So what excites me the most is getting to play in front of the fans again and showing them what I'm capable of.
“I don’t have something to prove. I don't feel like that. I don't feel pressure as well.
“I know what I'm capable of, so I just want to show the West Ham fans and the world who Crysencio Summerville is.
“And when I'm back, it's going to be showtime; that's what I can say.”
You’re not going to be coming to the United States, but that's part of the plan, right? Tell us about where your rehab is at now?
“I think I'm loading, let's say about 50-60 per cent.
“Obviously I wanted to join the lads to go to the USA, but I take it as a positive thing because once the guys are back, I will be back with the team.
“And for me, that's just a nice feeling to have. It's just a couple of weeks that I have to work by myself, and then, God willing, I'll be back with the squad.”
What are you picturing for the 2025/26 season with the squad? What do you see when you look ahead?
“It's a big season for all of us.
“I speak for myself as well, because we have to do better. I think last year wasn't good enough, but we know that. So it's going to be a big season, and we want to aim for big things.
“I think everyone wants to make an impact, but for me it feels a bit different because it feels like a year I didn't do much, so for me, I want to come two or three times better than everyone else.
“I don't like to speak before the season starts, but we know what we want to achieve. The only thing I can say is it's going to be a big season for all of us.”
What's the mood been like this week? We've seen lots of hard work and lots of intensity, but also you guys spending lots of time together and lots of fun in the right places?
“I love the pre-season because you come together as a group. And I think it's very good, because it's more like you become a family.
“And I think if you are really good as a group off the pitch, then on the pitch it's just fluent.
“I think it's really helpful to have your good plans in the pre-season to back it up on the pitch.
“I feel the hunger.
“I think we're going to show character, show fight and spirit. We're going to show we are more a team and that we want to fight for the badge. So the fans can expect a lot this year.
“And hopefully we will aim for our objective and plan what we want to achieve.
“The guys are ready and are fit. Everyone came back in top condition. So I feel like everyone gives everyone the energy.
“We are ready.”
