Dean Holden has now heaped praise on Crystal Palace No.49 Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
The 44-year-old made the comments when speaking on the I Had Trials Once podcast.
So, what was said about Jesurun Rak-Sakyi? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, the man from Swinton – who was sacked by Charlton in August – worked with the Crystal Palace No.49 during his loan spell at The Valley last season.
Rak-Sakyi shone down in League One, scoring 15 goals while also providing ten assists in 50 appearances across all competitions.
Holden oversaw this incredible campaign as the 21-year-old’s manager, and has now claimed that the England Under-20 international is the best player he’s ever coached.
He said: “It was a lad we had on loan last season, Jes Rak-Sakyi. He was on loan from Crystal Palace.
“He’s getting some game time at the moment – phenomenal player. Right winger but left footed, balance like a skier when they try and knock him off the ball. He’s not one to do ten stepovers for the sake of it. He will make the right decision. He’s only young.
“He used to drive in a clapped out Punto. Earning good money but not interested. His dad and brother own a barbers in Elephant & Castle. Just a proper young player who wants to give everything.”
Crystal Palace have a diamond in Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
These comments from Holden are genuinely brilliant to hear.
Rak-Sakyi has arguably been treated quite poorly at Selhurst Park this season.
The Crystal Palace academy graduate was denied a loan move due to a lack of attacking options in Roy Hodgson’s squad, before the 76-year-old himself criticised the youngster publicly, not once but twice.
However, the Crystal Palace fans rallied around Rak-Sakyi to ensure he won the club’s Player of the Month award for October, which will surely do wonders for his confidence.
Once Rak-Sakyi starts to get minutes in a more expansive setup involving the likes of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, we will hopefully begin to see his efforts at Charlton translate into the Premier League.
