Leeds star Summerville calls Liverpool wonder who shaped career and reveals huge faith in Archie Gray

Crysencio Summerville has outlined to TEAMtalk his high hopes for Archie Gray, the two Leeds team-mates he enjoys going for coffee with and how a Liverpool great helped nurture his formative years in the game.

The Dutch winger, recently named Championship Player of the Year, will be pivotal in Leeds United’s bid to beat Southampton in Sunday’s play-off final at Wembley and will be the player Daniel Farke really has the best time for to book his return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Summerville has been outstanding this season, scoring 21 goals and adding 10 assists, making him the first Leeds player to reach double figures in both G/A columns in the same season since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink accomplished the feat in 1998 /99.

However, it wasn’t all a bed of roses for Summerville, who had to work hard to ensure his attitude was right to become a top professional footballer.

The Dutchman’s timing, by his own admission, was wrong for routine commitments, such as being ready for the start of a training session.

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Summerville has matured considerably during his four years at Elland Road, but his story begins in his native Rotterdam, where he caught the eye through the youth ranks at Feyenoord.

Being nurtured by popular former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt helped shape Summerville during his formative years.

“As a child, I watched a lot of Neymar and Messi, but in Rotterdam I admired Eljero Elia, a left winger from Feyenoord and a Dutch legend in Dirk Kuyt,” said the 22-year-old forward. TEAMtalk.

“He was also my Under-19 coach so I learned a lot from him.”

Summerville on his ‘scary’ move to Leeds

Summerville continued: “He (Kuyt) taught me more about things off the pitch because I was struggling a bit in terms of maturity.

“The little details, for example, like not being late to training and instead being the first on the field.

“It’s the little details that can make a difference, so I’m very grateful for that.”

In September 2020, Summerville arrived at Elland Road on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £1.3m, from Feyenoord in what was to prove one of the best Victor Orta’s masterstrokes.

The previous season, he spent time on loan at ADO Den Haag, where he made 21 Eredivisie appearances, scoring two goals.

“I was a bit scared at first because it was a big decision to come to Leeds,” recalls Summerville.

“I was 18 at the time and I had a good conversation with Victor Orta and Andrea Radrizzani.

“I’m a person who, if I have a good feeling that the plan is right, I’ll do it.

“As soon as I came here, the coaches and players took me very well.

“Marcelo Bielsa was in charge at the time and I was impressed with everything here.

“It took me a few months to settle in, but after that it felt like my new home. I’m happy with the decision to come here.”

Tremendous career trajectory of Archie Gray

Four years later, Summerville believes his professionalism and status in the team can rub off on younger players such as Archie Gray.

The Whites teenager has proved an absolute revelation this season, making 51 appearances in all competitions and attracting interest for his services from Liverpool, Man City, Borussia Dortmund and even Manchester United.

If Leeds do not go up on Sunday, Gray will find his name heavily linked with an exit.

Summerville is not paying attention to the speculation, however, and explained the caregiving role he took on with Gray.

“I’ll talk to the younger guys because I’ve been in the same position as them,” he says.

“Yes, I talk to them a lot and tell them to make the most of their careers.

“I have to say that Archie is a great, great talent.

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