Rak-Sakyi benefits from time at Charlon

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi was a standout player for Charlton last season.  Many thought that the Glaziers would loan him out to a Champinship club this season, but Roy Hodgson could see Premier League potential, saying 'I think this was the best learning curve for him.'

Yesterday 'he galvanised a deflated crowd' at Sainsbury's according to The Times, bringing 'a burst of zeal' but also showing 'defensive discipline'.   Hofgson praised his skill at 'manipulating the ball' and creating 'a yard of space', but also praised his defensive awareness.

The Times managed several paragraphs of salivating without mentioning his development at Charlton, but The Athletic brought the Addicks in to their report

'This is a player who is not easily daunted. Rak-Sakyi has impressed Palace’s staff and team-mates in training with his performances, application and his character. There is an eagerness to learn, demonstrated by his decision to take French lessons while on loan with Charlton Athletic in League One last season given his ambition to play for Ghana, with a number of their squad either born in France or now with clubs there. There has never been any question of allowing his early Premier League involvement — his debut actually came in August 2021, at Chelsea — to think he had ‘made it’.

Understandably there were a a few nerves in the early stages on Saturday, but once he had the chance to run at Forest’s left-back Harry Toffolo he gained confidence.

Toffolo looked afraid of the tall, skinny winger with clever feet and good close control. None of his team-mates had managed to create such panic in the visitors’ back line and by the end of the afternoon, no player on either team could surpass Rak-Sakyi’s tally of dribbles (five) and successful dribbles (three).

Rak-Sakyi was stepping into the space created by injuries to Michael Oliee and then Schlupp. Providing the same impact as Olise would be too much to ask, but this was his most encouraging showing yet. The step up from the third tier with Charlton to the Premier League is a significant one, but the only way he will bridge it is with continued exposure to challenging match situations.'

It's a bitter pill to swallow to help the Glaziers, but it may encourage other clubs to lend out promsing players.