Current Championship table-toppers Sheffield United look well-armed for a real promotion challenge this season, and the fresh revelation around one of their key men will be music to the ears of all connected to the club.
The Blades are currently sitting in first place in the second-tier with 38 points won from their 18 league games so far, and an unbeaten record at Bramall Lane that has seen them concede just two goals in nine outings on home turf.
Chris Wilder has done a stellar job of motivating his players off the back of a dismal Premier League relegation campaign, and he has the club's strong summer recruitment to thank for a lot of their good fortune so far this term.
The likes of Harry Souttar, Michael Cooper, Tyrese Campbell and Alfie Gilchrist have all been key to their success in recent months, after joining the club either on loan or permanently in the last transfer window, and another important cog to their strong form has been Crystal Palace loanee Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
The 22-year-old's clear threat off the right-wing has seen him become one of Wilder's go-to men this season, and Palace boss Oliver Glasner moved to dismiss any of the Blades' January recall fears recently, after numerous reports and rumours of the Eagles being ready to thrust him into top-flight action in the new year.
Oliver Glasner has revealed Crystal Palace's plans for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Oliver Glasner Crystal Palace
Rak-Sakyi's impressive form will no doubt have alerted Palace to the possibility of bringing him back to Selhurst Park in the new year, after their own poor start to the Premier League season, but boss Glasner moved to assure United fans that their star loanee will see the season out in South Yorkshire in a recent press conference prior to his side's game against Newcastle United.
"He wanted to leave,” said Glasner, via the South London Press.
“If a player wants to leave, then it’s better to allow it. If a player doesn’t want to be here it makes no sense to put chains over his arms.
“We won’t recall him. He hasn’t played every game there. Yes, now he’s in a good phase.
“But we shouldn’t judge him on a good two weeks – he has to show it over the whole season.
“Also, it’s the way we are playing and the way he is playing. He has to integrate into the way we are playing. If he does, the door is open. If he doesn’t, the door is closed.”
It is clear that, despite the Eagles' current struggle in the Premier League, they believe that their young winger is best served developing out on loan, and that certainly seems like the correct decision based off his impressive few months at Bramall Lane.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi staying put is a huge boost to Sheffield United
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Rak-Sakyi did have a slow start to life at Bramall Lane as he adjusted to his new surroundings, but has burst into life in recent months, and has nailed down his position as a regular starter for the foreseeable future as United aim to stay leading the pack at the top of the Championship table.
The right-winger has wowed fans with his trickery and impressive dribbling ability from wide areas, and has certainly played his part in their successes, with four goals and two assists from 17 league outings up to now.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi's 2024/25 Championship statistics so far
Appearances
Starts
Goals
Assists
Progressive carries per 90
Successful take-ons per 90
Shot-creating actions per 90
Stats as per FBref - as of December 3, 2024
England under-21 international Rak-Sakyi has started seven of the Blades' last eight games, with just one loss in that time, so is clearly set to be the main man on the right-wing for Wilder going forward over the likes of Andre Brooks, Tyrese Campbell or Femi Siriki, who the boss would surely prefer to play in their respective preferred positions.
Wilder's latest claim over his future, prior to Glasner's new revelation, was that he was "incredibly confident" of the 22-year-old remaining at Bramall Lane for the whole campaign, and the Palace manager's recent quotes have certainly substantiated that view.
United can now rest assured that their star wide man will stay as a key part of their promotion challenge for the remainder of this term, and their January transfer window planning will not have to revolve around potential replacements for Rak-Sakyi, like they would have if disaster had struck and he had been recalled.
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Chris Wilder may want to make some changes in the upcoming window, but the Blades must not overspend.