Sheffield United star Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is relived to be back playing regular football following his season-long loan move from Crystal Palace.
The winger enjoyed an excellent loan spell at League One outfit Charlton Athletic during the 2022/23 season, where he contributed 15 goals and eight assists in 43 league appearances. He returned to Selhurst Park hoping to break into first team plans at the Premier League outfit under the guidance of then-manager Roy Hodgson.
His efforts look to have been rewarded when he was named in each of the Eagles’ first 10 matchday squads of last season, where he featured six times. However, disaster struck when an array of injuries ruled the 21-year-old out of much of the remainder of the campaign.
A return to fitness coincided with an array of interest. Several Championship clubs were keen to sign the attacker over the summer, including the likes of Leeds United and Hull City, as well as Premier League newcomers Southampton. In early August, it was reported that both the Whites and Sheffield United had agreed terms with Palace over a season-long deal, with the Blades eventually winning the race for his signature.
Chris Wilder’s team are back in the Championship after a disastrous, brief Premier League stay. They also began the season with a two-point deduction due to defaulting on payments to other clubs during the 2022/23 season. However, the Yorkshire-based side have wiped out that deficit and are currently one of two teams – alongside Blackburn Rovers – yet to taste defeat.
Rak-Sakyi has been a key part of the team, starting the last five fixtures in all competitions and impressing from the right-hand side. For the former England under-20 international, it’s just a relief to be back out on the pitch:
“It’s a young, exciting team,” he told the Sheffield Star. “Everyone’s pushing each other to do well and I’m really happy to be here. It’s quite tough being away from home but all the boys and everyone has made me feel comfortable and I’m in a really good place. Last year I was injured so this season is just about me playing and whatever comes with that happens. I’m just focused on playing and doing my job here.
“Whatever I can do to help the team, whether goals or assists, I want to do that. That’s my job as an attacking player, so the more chances I can create the better. At the end of the day we just want the wins. Playing football for me is the most important thing. Experiencing things like different atmospheres is good and I’m enjoying myself. That’s just what I’m trying to do.
“Coming into a new team, it’s hard to learn how the players play and how to adapt to the new system, but each week, I feel like I’m building more confidence in myself and I feel like I’m in a good place.”
Writer’s View
Rak-Sakyi has always been highly regarded at Crystal Palace and it wasn’t a surprise to see so many teams interested in his services throughout the summer. He was excellent during his spell with Charlton a couple of seasons ago and better luck would have seen him be a regular with his parent club.
Sheffield United offers a fantastic opportunity to rebuild his match sharpness and he has been handled well by Chris Wilder. He was eased into first team duties and now looks to be a player who will be pivotal to the Blades’ promotion ambitions this season. Whereas he is yet to register a goal or assist, they will come and it could be the difference between his temporary club achieving a top two finish or having to settle for a place in the play-offs.
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