Leeds United no longer have much room for mistakes in the Premier League survival battle after this week’s results pulled them closer to the relegation zone.
West Ham’s victory over Fulham and Nottingham Forest earning a draw against Manchester City on Wednesday night have tightened things considerably at the bottom of the table.
Leeds did themselves no favours either, slipping to a home defeat against Sunderland on Tuesday. That result leaves them just three points clear of the drop zone with only nine games remaining this season.
The biggest worry for Leeds is West Ham’s form, and the Whites could have made the biggest blunder when the Hammers signed Crysencio Summerville in the summer of 2024.
The Crysencio Summerville blunder no one wants to talk about at Leeds
Summerville was the difference for West Ham as they beat Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage to go level on points with Nottingham Forest, who are just above them.
The Hammers are now just three points behind Leeds, who have lost their last two league games at home against Manchester City and Sunderland, respectively.
Leeds could have done little to stop Summerville from leaving for West Ham in 2024, as he had a £25m release clause on his contract.
The Dutchman chose to move on once Leeds failed to get promoted, and the Whites were powerless because of the release clause.
It is now looking like a huge blunder. Summerville would have moved on regardless, but the release clause meant Leeds could not negotiate a selling price.
At £25m, he was within West Ham’s budget, and Leeds could not have done anything once the winger agreed terms on a contract with the London club.
Without a clause, Leeds could have even fancied their chances of holding on to the winger, but that was out of the question because of the agreement.’
He could send Leeds back to the Championship
Summerville has been one of West Ham’s best players this season, and his goal on Wednesday night won them a vital three points on the road against Fulham.
The Hammers will need the winger to keep his form going if they are to drag themselves out of the bottom three at the business end of the season.
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Competition | Premier League |
| Matches Played | 24 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Minutes Played | 1,868 |
Leeds have found the worst possible time to lose back-to-back league games, and the pressure is again back on the Whites in the relegation dogfight.
The Whites will still back themselves to stay out of the bottom three, but their former player could end up playing a big role in dragging them into the relegation zone.
Leeds will hope that they do not end up regretting the decision to have a release clause in Summerville’s contract at Elland Road.
