West Ham star could hand in transfer request after shock new Julen Lopetegui snub

Moyes always favoured a slow drip-feeding of new signings into the Hammers team.

Meanwhile managers at rival clubs throw new boys straight in with great success.

There will be exceptions to both rules of course.

But is there really any conclusive evidence that bringing a new signing into the side in dribs and drabs really benefits anyone long term?

All it serves to do is allow the rest of the Premier League to get up to full match sharpness and speed while the player in question falls further behind that level.

Then, when they do get the odd chance here and there, their rustiness counts against them.

After signing nine players in the summer, West Ham have too many players in that position this season.

Lopetegui’s approach hasn’t worked thus far. And he may not be around long enough to find out whether it was worth it in the long run either at this rate.

It is of course too early to write Lopetegui off at West Ham.

But something has to change. And the warning signs have been there from the start.

He has been his own worst enemy, trying a multitude of team selections and formations as he searches for something that works.

West Ham star could hand in transfer request after shock snub

Nothing really has thus far.

But when Crysencio Summerville has played, West Ham have looked a far greater threat.

It has baffled West Ham fans that the £26m man has not had more game time so far after impressive cameos.

The suspension of Mohammed Kudus was meant to change all that.

Before Kudus’ suspension, supporters had called for Jarrod Bowen to be played up front so the Ghanaian could play on the right and Summerville on the left.

West Ham fans are a knowledgeable bunch. But despite trying pretty much everything else, Lopetegui has been reluctant to heed their calls with that particular line-up.

With Kudus out for at least three games, that was all about to change for Summerville at least. Wasn’t it?

Well no.

Who could blame Summerville for wanting to leave?

The West Ham star could hand in a transfer request after a shock new Lopetegui snub.

Summerville was somehow left out of the starting XI to face Man United.

Overlooked again, the man who was the first name on the teamsheet at Leeds must be wondering why he ever joined West Ham in the first place.

Coveted by Liverpool and Chelsea he’d probably have seen more action there than under Lopetegui at West Ham.

And that’s saying something given the quality in both those squads.

Quite what Lopetegui is thinking is anyone’s guess.

But he’s playing a very dangerous game.

Summerville was a signing pushed for by majority owner David Sullivan in the summer.

He was the Championship player of the year and made it clear when he signed that he wants to earn a call-up to the Dutch squad.

West Ham – and specifically Lopetegui – are not helping his cause at all.

Lopetegui clearly doesn’t rate exciting £26m signing

The January transfer window is now little over two months away.

And Summerville could quite reasonably ask for a move elsewhere if Lopetegui stays in the job and continues to treat him like this.

The 22-year-old already vented his frustrations on social media when it became clear Lopetegui did not see him as a starter early on.

Summerville did so in a professional way, saying “If God is making you wait, then be prepared to receive more than you asked for. God’s plan.”

It’s not so much God making him wait but Lopetegui.

If Summerville is not going to start when Kudus is unavailable then when will he?

He will now realise that more than anyone.

Nobody could be shocked if Summerville was to look for a move elsewhere in January whether that be a loan or permanent departure.

How one of the most exciting captures of the summer has ended up in this situation is, frankly, symptomatic of Lopetegui’s tenure thus far.

But word from the very top of the club is that Lopetegui will be given into the new year to turn things around.

So Summerville may well have a big decision to make now it’s clear he’s not even seen as back-up for Kudus.

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