When Michael Olise swapped South London for Bayern Munich, a window of opportunity appeared to have opened up for a twinkle-toed academy graduate awaiting his breakout moment at Crystal Palace.
But he’ll have to wait a little bit longer, it seems.
Because rather than promote Jesurun Rak-Sakyi into Oliver Glasner’s first XI, Crystal Palace opted to bring in more experienced operators from the outside. Ismaila Sarr, the former Watford speedster, returned to England after a difficult spell at Marseille.
Rak-Sakyi, meanwhile, will look to hone his considerable talents during another loan spell in the Football League.
After taking League One by storm at Charlton Athletic in 2022/23, Rak-Sakyi makes one step up the EFL ladder with Sheffield United in the Championship.
And The Blades fought off competition from all corners of the second-tier, emerging victorious like a grizzled action hero emerging unscathed in a battle with a never-ending parade of henchmen.
Crystal Palace rejected bid offers for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, believes that the chance to play in front of a vociferous Bramall Lane support was a big factor behind Rak-Sakyi’s decision.
He also claims that Crystal Palace rejected some pretty substantial bids before agreeing to loan out the Southwark-born England Under 20 international for the second time.
“In our pitch I said how important Bramall Lane was,” Wilder told the Sheffield Star after his summer signings played a key role in Saturday’s 1-0 win over early pacesetters Watford. “There were two £15m bids for him, and three-quarters of the Championship sides in for him as well.
“Part of the pitch was him feeling what he felt today. For him, for Jamie Shackleton, for Michael Cooper, it was big and hopefully they’ve enjoyed their first win in a red-and-white shirt.
“He (Rak-Sakyi) is going to be a player. There were two big bids for him to Crystal Palace. One out of our division and one out of the Premier League. We beat off a whole host of Championship clubs.
“All the players wanted to come here. And, if I was a player, I’d want to come here on days like today as well.”
Rak-Sakyi found minutes hard to come by after Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson in the Crystal Palace dugout last season. That, however, was not so much a criticism of the youngster’s talents, but instead testament to the form of those ahead of him in the Selhurst Park pecking order at the time.
Oliver Glasner struggled to find a place for Sheffield United loanee
“He’s working hard and doing well in training,” Glasner told the South London Press in April while Rak-Sakyi was being left out of his matchday squad.
“The situation is that we all agree with (Ebere) Eze, Olise and (Jean-Philippe) Mateta, it’s three amazing players in a really good shape. Ebs scores goals. JP scores goals. Michael scores goals and gets assists.
“With Jeffrey Schlupp, Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Edouard, we have three players who could start every game because they also deserve it with their quality and talent.
“It’s maybe now a tough moment for Jes. He’s coming back after two months from injury and now has six players here who are in fantastic shape and fit for a long time. It makes it hard for him now.
“Every player has to show that they are ready. He does it and gives his best, but the situation now is the best situation for any manager – when all your players are fit and in a good shape.”
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