January painted the clearest picture yet for Leeds United on where Crysencio Summerville’s head is at in this stage of his career. The winger’s attempt to follow Cody Drameh out of Elland Road may have been blocked, but it only kicked the same debate down the road for another day.
Jesse Marsch’s appointment allowed for a reset on Summerville’s perspective on his status and playing time with Leeds. The American was making all the right sounds about his desire to play the Dutchman in the way he had used Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood, but an ankle injury ended the campaign early.
Pre-season has brought with it talk of a new contract for Summerville and reassurances to the 20-year-old he will be trusted in the Premier League by Marsch. Five substitutions will inevitably bring more opportunities for those players on the fringes, but injuries will too.
READ MORE: Leeds United stars aiming to give Jesse Marsch food for thought against Cagliari
One such problem occurred for Luis Sinisterra within the opening 15 minutes of his first Leeds start last week. The Colombian winger was helped from the field by doctor Rishi Dhand and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit for Sunday’s clash with Cagliari.
If the former Feyenoord man does not make it, there is a clear opportunity for Marsch to give Summerville a go from the start at Elland Road. In Australia, Marsch overlooked a direct replacement and instead went with Rodrigo, who played through the centre while Brenden Aaronson was pushed wider.
Using Summerville on Sunday against the Italian side would provide a vital last opportunity to try him out from the start in this new-look Leeds attack. If Leeds are serious about Summerville’s development, injuries to direct replacements like Sinisterra have to be the kind of opportunities handed down.
Even if Marsch remained reticent to using Summerville from the start on the opening day against Wolverhampton Wanderers, a confidence-boosting turn against Cagliari would do wonders for his subsequent impact from the bench in the league. It’s a chance to look at another attacking combination and let one of the club’s best young players know he will get minutes.
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