Sheff Utd’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi Hails England Stars Eze and Guehi for Guiding His Career
Sheffield United's Jesurun Rak-Sakyi credits England stars Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze for guiding his career. The winger discusses the resurgence of wide-men in modern football and the influence of top internationals on his development.
Image Credits: Steve Bardens/Getty Images
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, the Sheffield United winger, has thanked England duo Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze for helping to develop his career as he aims to prove why wingers are suddenly back in fashion.
The Resurgence of Wingers
Signed by the Championship club on loan from Crystal Palace, where Guehi and Eze have cemented their status as senior internationals, the 21-year-old is among a clutch of exciting wide-men currently within the English game.
The position, which had previously fallen out of favour among leading managers and coaches, is suddenly back in vogue following the emergence of players including Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Eze himself.
Eze and Guehi’s Influence
Thanking the former Queens Park Rangers forward and Guehi, the Palace centre-half, for helping him through a long-term injury, Rak-Sakyi believes the latest tactical innovations means his return to action could not have been timed better.
“It’s great to see wingers getting noticed again,” he told SportsBoom.com.
“There’s nothing better for me, or more dangerous in my opinion, than someone taking people on, running at defenders, and then looking to get crosses in or shots off.”
I think people are valuing what we can bring to the table again. There was a period when people didn’t seem to see the value as much but that’s changed with lots of lads coming through.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
The Changing Role of Wingers in Modern Football
“Although people don’t think so, you’ve got to be mentally strong to be a winger,” Rak-Sakyi added.
“You have to keep trying things, even if they don’t come off, because the one time it does might be the moment the whole game changes.”
“You can’t back down. If you want to bring that flair, that’s something you just can’t afford to do.”
Image Credits: Steve Bardens/Getty Images
From Chelsea to Palace to Bramall Lane
Following a period in Chelsea’s youth programme, where his younger brother Samuel has also enrolled as an academy player, Rak-Sakyi moved to Selhurst Park before making his professional debut against the west Londoners three years ago.
He excelled during a placement with Charlton Athletic, being named the supporters’ player of the year following the 2022-23 campaign.
Rak-Sayki made six appearances for Palace last term but missed most of the season due to a hamstring complaint from which he has since fully recovered.
A Fellow Sheff Utd Friend
Citing another former United loanee, Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, as being a driving force behind his move to Bramall Lane: “He only had good things to say about United.”
Learning from Top Internationals
Rak-Sakyi thanked Eze and Guehi for the backing they provided during a difficult period.
“They’re brilliant with the young lads and they just told me to keep going,” he said.
“They’re only young themselves but they lead by example and that’s one of the big lessons I’ve learnt from them. Will Hughes is another one who always looks to help out those of us trying to come through, offering the right advice.”
“I’ve been fortunate to be around top players all my career,” Rak-Sakyi added.
You pick up plenty just by watching them, being involved with them during training, and seeing the good habits they’ve got. It’s great they’ve got the time to try and help us too.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.