Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
English footballer.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a right winger for Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Born on October 5, 2002, Rak-Sakyi has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the most promising young talents in English football. He began his career in Chelsea's youth system before joining Crystal Palace in 2019, where he made significant strides in his development. Rak-Sakyi made his Premier League debut for Crystal Palace on August 14, 2021, coming on as a substitute against his former club Chelsea. His breakthrough season came in 2022-23 when he was loaned out to Charlton Athletic in League One. During this loan spell, Rak-Sakyi showcased his potential, scoring 15 goals and providing 8 assists in 43 league appearances.
His impressive performances earned him the Supporters' Player of the Year award at Charlton, receiving 46% of fans' votes. Upon returning to Crystal Palace for the 2023-24 season, Rak-Sakyi has continued to make an impact, featuring in Premier League matches and cup competitions. His ability to play on both wings and as an attacking midfielder has made him a versatile asset for the team. Rak-Sakyi's rapid progress and consistent performances have not only cemented his place in the Crystal Palace squad but have also attracted attention from football enthusiasts and pundits alike.
Early life & youth football
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi's early life and youth career were marked by his time in Chelsea's renowned academy. He spent his formative years developing his skills at Chelsea before making the switch to Crystal Palace's youth system in 2019. At Crystal Palace, Rak-Sakyi quickly progressed through the age groups, impressing coaches with his technical ability and attacking prowess. His performances in the youth teams, particularly in the Premier League 2 where he scored 23 goals in 36 appearances, caught the attention of the first-team management. This led to his inclusion in the senior squad and subsequent professional debut in 2021. Rak-Sakyi's journey from Chelsea's academy to becoming a professional at Crystal Palace demonstrates his determination and talent.
Professional career
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi made his Premier League debut for Crystal Palace on August 14, 2021, in a match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The young winger came on as a second-half substitute, marking a significant milestone in his career. This debut came after an impressive pre-season with the first team, where he caught the eye of the coaching staff. Following his debut season, where he made limited appearances for Palace's first team, Rak-Sakyi was loaned out to Charlton Athletic for the 2022-23 season to gain more regular first-team experience.
This loan move proved to be a crucial step in his development. At Charlton Athletic, playing in League One, Rak-Sakyi had a breakout season. He made 43 league appearances, scoring 15 goals and providing 8 assists. His performances were consistently impressive, showcasing his attacking prowess and versatility.
Rak-Sakyi's contributions were significant, with him playing a total of 3,497 minutes in League One. His excellent form at Charlton did not go unnoticed. Rak-Sakyi's performances earned him the Supporters' Player of the Year award at Charlton, receiving 46% of fans' votes. This loan spell was instrumental in his development, providing him with valuable experience in senior football and helping him to refine his skills against professional opposition.
The successful loan at Charlton set the stage for Rak-Sakyi's return to Crystal Palace for the 2023-24 season, where he began to feature more regularly in the Premier League squad. However during the 2023/24 season, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi found his opportunities at Crystal Palace limited. He made 6 appearances in the Premier League, all as a substitute, totaling just 212 minutes of playing time. Despite his impressive loan spell at Charlton Athletic the previous season, Rak-Sakyi struggled to break into the first team regularly at Palace.
In cup competitions, Rak-Sakyi featured more prominently, making 2 appearances in the EFL Cup. He also continued to impress at the youth level, scoring 4 goals in 3 appearances for the Under-21s in Premier League 2. Given his limited first-team opportunities at Crystal Palace, Rak-Sakyi was loaned out to Sheffield United for the 2024/25 season. This move was seen as a chance for the young winger to gain more regular playing time at the Premier League level.
At Sheffield United, Rak-Sakyi has the opportunity to showcase his skills and continue his development in a competitive environment.
National team
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi's international career has been focused on representing England at the youth level. He received his first call-up to the England U20 team in September 2021, replacing an injured Anthony Gordon. Rak-Sakyi made an immediate impact on his debut for the U20s, scoring in a 6-1 victory over Romania U20s at St. George's Park on September 6, 2021.
Since then, he has continued to be involved with England's youth setup, making a total of 5 appearances and scoring 1 goal for the U20 team. While Rak-Sakyi is also eligible to represent Ghana through his parents, he has so far chosen to pursue his international career with England. His performances at the club level, particularly during his loan spell at Charlton Athletic and his emerging role at Crystal Palace, have strengthened his position within the England youth teams. As Rak-Sakyi continues to develop and gain more first-team experience in the Premier League, there is potential for him to progress to the England U21 squad and possibly even the senior national team in the future.
Player’s style
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi's style of play is characterized by his versatility and attacking prowess. Primarily deployed as a right winger, he is equally comfortable playing on the left flank or in an attacking midfield role. Rak-Sakyi possesses excellent dribbling skills and close ball control, allowing him to beat defenders in one-on-one situations. His pace and agility make him a constant threat on the counter-attack.
Rak-Sakyi also demonstrates good vision and passing ability, as evidenced by his 8 assists during his loan spell at Charlton Athletic. He has shown a keen eye for goal, particularly during his time in youth football and his loan in League One. Rak-Sakyi's work rate and willingness to track back and contribute defensively add to his value as a modern winger. His ability to play with both feet and adapt to different positions across the front line makes him a valuable asset to his team.