Crystal Palace attacker Jes Rak-Sakyi is a marked man after impressive start to Charlton Athletic loan stay

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s eye-catching early displays have made him a double or even triple-marked man in League One. It is exactly those kind of challenges that the Crystal Palace prospect wanted to face during his loan spell at Charlton Athletic.

The 20-year-old had options in the summer with Milton Keynes and Oxford United also vying for his temporary signature.

But Charlton worked best for Rak-Sakyi, keeping him close to his South London roots.

He grew up on Walworth’s tough Aylesbury Estate and one of his teachers at Michael Faraday School recommended him for a trial at Chelsea. He joined their youth academy at the age of eight.

Rak-Sakyi came through the Blues ranks with the likes of German international Jamal Musiala, Croydon’s Tivo Livramento and Michael Olise, now an Eagles team-mate.

“When I first joined Chelsea it was about having fun and playing football,” said the England U20 international. You don’t really take it in. It gets a bit more serious when you get older, you realise it is a big thing to be at a club of that stature.”

Rak-Sakyi was released by Chelsea in 2019.

“I was a late developer and smaller than everyone else,” he said. “They probably thought it was best if I went somewhere else and developed, that’s what I did.

“I trialled at a lot of clubs. First I went to Sheffield United, the deal they offered wasn’t suitable – my parents and agent weren’t really happy with it. I trialled at Arsenal, didn’t get in there. Went to Brighton, didn’t get in there as well – same with Watford. I came to Palace and by God’s grace I got signed.

“At the time I had my GCSE exams as well. I had to balance off both of them, football and school. It was really tough for me at the time. When I signed for Palace it was a relief, now I can do my GCSEs and I know after that I have a scholarship for the next two years.”

Rak-Sakyi was a standout performer in Premier League 2 last season, scoring 18 times and contributing six assists. He was nominated for Player of the Season. The accolade went to James McAtee, who matched his goal return and had one more assist as Manchester City won the league.

Rak-Sakyi also made his Premier League debut as a late substitute in the 3-0 opening day defeat at Chelsea and then started on the final day, playing 67 minutes as the Eagles defeated Manchester United 1-0.

There had been talk that Rak-Sakyi could be loaned in the 2020-21 campaign, but nothing materialised.

“My agent told me there were a couple of clubs interested but I was just focusing on the league with the U23s – trying to get as many wins as possible,” said Rak-Sakyi.

“After the season was done I tallied things up and I’d done quite well. Myself, my family, my agent and the club felt it was the best time to go to men’s team football.”

Rak-Sakyi lit up The Valley on his first Charlton outing in August, twisting and turning the Plymouth backline in knots as he got on the scoresheet in a 5-1 victory. He has started every League One match and collected five goals in 16 games.

“It’s been a good step up for me, a good experience,” said Rak-Sakyi. “Quite challenging and good for me, at the same time, because it is only helping me improve.

“I’m happy so far about what I’ve done but I want to push on, keep doing more and bringing more to the team. There is room for improvement and stuff I can work on. So far, so good – but I don’t want to get complacent. I need to push to do as well as I can for myself and for the team.

“I feel like teams have doubled up a bit more on me now but it’s down to me to get out of those situations, it will make me a lot sharper. It doesn’t bother me too much.”

Mark Bright, Palace’s loans manager, has been a regular in the directors’ box in SE7, along with sporting director Dougie Freedman.

“Mark speaks to me a lot – he’s pretty good looking out for the young players,” said Rak-Sakyi. “He’s someone I can turn to when things are going well or not going so well. He will speak to me once or twice every week or two to see how I am getting on.”

So what has been the biggest challenge so far?

“The games are coming thick and fast,” said Rak-Sakyi. “We can have two or three games in a week.

“It’s been intense – having a game and then the next one in the next couple of days. You’ve got to do the right things so that you are recovering well.”

Charlton’s director of recruitment Steve Gallen felt their loan success with Conor Gallagher helped play a part in landing Rak-Sakyi.

The midfielder has gone on to win full England honours and starred for Palace last season before returning to parent club Chelsea.

“When I saw him do well at Charlton and what he is doing now, it shows players at Charlton can go on and have a career,” said Rak-Sakyi. “It was a big part of my decision to come here.

“It was 100 per cent important to be close to home. I always have my family and friends come and support me. It’s good to have them nearby.

“My dad and brother want me to be level-headed because they know what I’m capable of and where I want to get to. I’ll only be able to do that by taking on the information that they give me.”

Rak-Sakyi, also eligible to represent Ghana, signed a five-year contract extension before Palace allowed him to head out.

“It shows they have trust and belief in me,” said Rak-Sakyi. “It is down to me to put in the performances and do everything I can, so when I do go back I am ready to be part of the team.”

Palace are believed to have a break option in his Charlton loan in January.

“I’d love to stay but that is not completely down to me,” said Rak-Sakyi. “I’m taking every game as it comes. The fans have been behind me every step of the way, I’m very grateful to them.

“I’m thankful for all the support they have given me.”