Leeds may already have their next Raphinha on their hands in the shape of 19-year-old starlet Crysencio Summerville.
Described as a “bag of tricks” by Chris Powell – his former coach when he was a teenager at ADO Den Haag – he scored a hat-trick against Burnley under-23s on just his second start for the Whites’ underage side earlier this season.
Then, in the under-23s’ stunning 5-0 victory over West Brom on Monday, Summerville helped Leeds run riot. While Joe Gelhardt bagged himself a hat-trick, it was arguably the Dutch winger who stole the show.
Writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Joe Donnohue noted: “Summerville has this move where he will evade a tackle or opposition pressure by knocking the ball two yards in front or to the side, before then sidestepping the challenge – it’s almost like muscle memory now, a really smart move.
“Drew the foul well for the penalty, and linked up well with Gelhardt to assist for the second. Worked well defensively, unafraid to get stuck in as is always the case with the Dutchman. Consistency is king with him; another goal, another assist, another penalty won.”
Standing at just 5 foot 9 and with a slight frame, there may be concerns over whether the Dutchman can handle the physicality at Premier League level, but the winger himself has sought to downplay those worries.
Summerville said earlier this year: “I often hear that there are doubts because of my physical condition, but when you are on the field, you are not concerned with that. There are often big defenders in front of me, I have to be smart about that. I know I’m agile and try to play with my mind.”
Many Leeds fans have come to love a slight, skilful winger in summer signing Raphinha, who has taken to English football like a duck to water and has been an absolute revelation at Elland Road since arriving from Ligue 1 side Rennes.
In just 24 games in the top flight, he has managed six goals and provided five assists, and has had some real eye-catching moments – not least making a fool out of Crystal Palace’s Gary Cahill or his countless number of tricks and flicks to get past players and leaving them for dust.
While Gelhardt may be the name everybody’s talking about after his hat-trick, Summerville’s explosive nature and ability to beat players one on one out wide makes him the kind of game-changing player Marcelo Bielsa would surely embrace at first team level.
Given the struggles of the likes of Helder Costa and Jack Harrison in recent weeks – they have combined for just one goal and two assists in their last seven Premier League appearances – introducing Summerville into the first team picture could give Leeds another X-factor just like Raphinha has done.
Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing a move for this teenage sensation…