West Ham’s next winger dilemma is already writing itself, whether they like it or not. With Crysencio Summerville attracting growing interest ahead of the summer window, the club are quietly preparing for a scenario that could force their hand in the market.
And if that happens, one name is already circling the conversation internally: Andreas Schjelderup.
The 21-year-old Benfica winger has been on West Ham’s radar since January, and while no deal materialised in the winter window, he has not drifted out of view. If anything, his profile has strengthened.
Summerville’s rise puts West Ham in a difficult position
Summerville’s impact under Nuno Espírito Santo has been one of the key positives in an otherwise uneven campaign. After a slow start to life in East London, the Dutch winger has begun to show exactly why West Ham pushed for him in the first place.
But that resurgence comes with a catch.
With Premier League rivals already monitoring the 24-year-old, West Ham are now facing a familiar problem: form that attracts attention they may not be able to ignore. Even survival in the top flight doesn’t guarantee he stays, especially if bigger opportunities emerge.
And that’s where Schjelderup enters the picture.
West Ham already know exactly who Schjelderup is
West Ham’s recruitment team have already done their homework on the Benfica winger. Reports suggest he was seriously considered in January before the club opted for a cheaper alternative in Keiber Lamadrid.
The reasoning at the time was simple: Summerville’s improved performances reduced urgency on that side, and the budget was allocated elsewhere.
But Schjelderup’s development since then has only strengthened his case.
| Player | Games | Goal Contributions | Shots per 90 | Chances Created |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andreas Schjelderup | 25 | 10 | 1.27 | 37 |
| Crysencio Summerville | 27 | 6 | 1.27 | 23 |
The numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they do show why comparisons are being made. Both players operate in similar wide areas, both look to isolate defenders, and both carry a direct attacking threat. The difference, at least in perception, is ceiling.
Schjelderup has long been viewed as a “high-upside” talent, dating back to his breakout reputation in Scandinavian football and his early hype as a Football Manager wonderkid. At Benfica, he has started to convert that promise into consistent output.
The real issue West Ham can’t avoid
The decision West Ham may ultimately face isn’t just about replacing Summerville. It’s about timing, league status, and financial direction.
If relegation were to enter the equation, the entire structure changes. Schjelderup, for all his talent, is not a Championship-level signing in terms of ambition or wage profile. A drop would likely shut that door immediately.
In that scenario, West Ham would have to look internally, where academy options like Josh Ajala could finally be accelerated into first-team contention. His performances at Rush Green have already drawn attention, and circumstances may dictate whether he becomes a short-term solution or a long-term project.
A summer that could reshape the left flank
For now, nothing is decided. Summerville is still a West Ham player, Schjelderup is still at Benfica, and interest remains just that—interest.
But the direction is clear. If West Ham lose one, they already know who they want to look at next.
And in modern recruitment terms, that usually means the conversation is already further along than anyone outside the club admits.
