Alious
West Ham United’s revival in recent weeks has been built on teamwork rather than individual stardom, at least according to Nuno Espirito Santo. Following Saturday’s crucial 2-0 victory over Burnley, the Hammers boss was quick to stress that no single player is carrying the side, with collective improvement now driving their fight for Premier League survival.
That message is clear, but it would be unfair to ignore the influence of certain players who are setting the tone. Mateus Fernandes continues to grow with every performance, while January arrivals Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe have added a much-needed spark. Still, one name in particular has caught the eye of pundits – Crysencio Summerville.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy was full of praise for the West Ham winger, who has gone from frustration to inspiration in a matter of weeks. Not long ago, Summerville was enduring a prolonged goal drought that stretched from October 2024 right through to January 2026, raising questions about his impact in claret and blue.
Fast forward to now, and those doubts feel like a distant memory. Summerville has hit red-hot form, scoring in five straight matches and becoming one of the most dangerous attackers in the side. Against Burnley, he set the tone early by opening the scoring, before playing a pivotal role in the second goal with a sharp turn that created space for Malick Diouf. The resulting cross was expertly finished by Castellanos.
Assessing West Ham’s recent upturn, Murphy highlighted Summerville’s contribution while speaking to BBC Sport. He pointed to the momentum building around the team, noting that winning three of their last four matches has transformed belief. Murphy described Summerville as being in outstanding form, while also referencing Jarrod Bowen’s consistency and the impact of two new strikers, which has suddenly made West Ham look far more potent in attack.
Murphy also stressed how important that attacking threat is, explaining that scoring goals eases the pressure on the defence. Still, he warned that West Ham cannot afford many slip-ups, as it is always preferable to have points already secured rather than chasing from behind.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s view now mirrors the praise coming from the outside. Only a month ago, the West Ham boss publicly challenged Summerville to raise his level. The winger’s response has been emphatic. Nuno now believes Summerville is in “amazing” form, a reflection of how dramatically his performances have improved.
At the moment, Summerville looks a class above a typical relegation battle performer. While West Ham’s resurgence has been a collective effort, his influence has been undeniable. This spell of form is arguably the best of his career so far, and if it continues, he could be the driving force that keeps the Hammers in the Premier League.
Alious
