Chris Dunlavy
A FRESH TAKE ON FOOTBALL
CRYSENCIO Summerville might have beaten Sammie Szmodics to the Championship Player of the Season award at Grosvenor House last Sunday.
On the pitch, however, it was the Blackburn man who prevailed. Twenty-four hours earlier, Szmodics scored the only goal of the game as Leeds’ long unbeaten run at Elland Road came to a shattering end, evoking painful memories of the 2-1 defeat to ten-man Wigan in 2019 that effectively consigned Marcelo Bielsa’s men to the playoffs.
Daniel Farke cut a crestfallen figure in the aftermath, yet even he felt compelled to talk about Szmodics, whose goal capped an all-round performance that bristled with exactly the sort of ruthless efficiency the home side lacked.
“Blackburn are a side who don’t usually create that much, so to be there, at this stage in the season, with 24 Championship goals - that’s outstanding,” said the Whites boss. “Szmodics is quality. He only needed one situation to score.”
Szmodics touched the ball 30 times, 45 less than Summerville. In fact, only four of the 22 starters registered fewer touches, yet the 28-year-old was responsible for the game’s clinching goal and its two best chances, a low shot brilliantly saved by Illan Meslier and a cross that was hacked off the line by Connor Roberts.
It was a performance typical of the consistency and quality that Szmodics has brought to an otherwise dismal campaign for Blackburn, and one that probably kept his team in the Championship.
The Republic of Ireland international also became the first Blackburn player to reach 30 goals in a season since Alan Shearer. The former England captain later sent a message congratulating Szmodics on his achievement.
“I’ve seen you’ve got another one - 30 eh, not bad!” wrote the Premier’s League’s all-time leading goalscorer. “Congratulations mate, keep up the good work.”
Not bad at all. But while Summerville should be guaranteed a place in the Premier League next season regardless of whether Leeds win promotion, what does the future hold for Szmodics?
ALeague Two player with Colchester five years ago, he will be 29 in September; young enough to remain at his peak for a couple of years, an
