‘He is low-maintenance but high output’ – Charlton boss lavishes praise on Crystal Palace prospect Jes Rak-Sakyi
Charlton Athletic manager Dean Holden says that Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is one of the best young players he has worked with.
The 20-year-old winger has 19 goals involvements for the Addicks, who he joined on a season-long loan in the summer.
Rak-Sakyi scored twice in last weekend’s 3-2 win over Burton Albion. The Eagles prospect has been shortlisted for EFL League One Young Player of the Season.
Holden told the South London Press: “I spoke to Mark Bright again this morning (Wednesday), in regular contact with Crystal Palace. Mark is fantastic – he gets to nearly every one of our games at The Valley. He downloads all his video clips and speaks to Jes personally about what they are looking for from a Crystal Palace point of view, as much as we do.
“There’s a great relationship there. Jes has done brilliant. He had a really good season last season in U21s football – he got a high number of goals and assists in that. He’s had the confidence to come out of his comfort zone and come into men’s football for the first time.
“To be involved in so many goals is a wonderful achievement.
“He fully deserves to be in the reckoning for the Young Player of the Year. But there is still some more for him to do this season, I’ve spoken to him about that. There are more goals and assists in him, along with general play.
“In the second half on Saturday he wasn’t as good as he was the first half, we didn’t get him into the game as much as we’d have liked – although he still effects the game. He had a big chance at the back post which he puts over the bar.
“You want to consistently see him getting into those positions where the ball is coming down Tyreece’s side. Get into those goalscoring areas rather than waiting out on the wing and waiting for the ball to come.
“Defensively he has shown so much more improvement in terms of his positioning.
“His individual brilliance in terms of one-v-one ability is there for all to see. I’ve worked with some wonderful young players over the years but he is right up there. He is a joy to work with. He is not a minute’s hassle – he is low-maintenance but he is high output.
“He gets on with his job and just loves playing football with the ball at his feet.
“He’s got a fantastic career ahead of him, he really has.”
PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS
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