Roy Hodgson is one of the most iconic figures in English football management, so his assessment on Leeds United’s newest transfer target is worth reading.
Hodgson’s managerial career has lasted nearly 50 years, with his most recent and potentially promising stint being at Crystal Palace, where he was fired in February.
He was the manager of England’s national team for over four years and has also worked at Fulham, Liverpool, and West Bromwich Albion, among other clubs.
Leeds are thought to be interested in signing one of his former players this summer as part of their efforts to enhance the squad.
Leeds have only completed three additions so far, and given the quantity of outgoings, many more will be required by the end of the year.
Hodgson’s take on Leeds target Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Although not at this time, winger may become a priority position for recruitment in the future weeks.
If Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto leave, Leeds will need to find significant replacements, and Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has been linked.
Rak-Sakyi is desired by more than half of the Championship and was handled by Hodgson at Selhurst Park last season, with the 76-year-old preventing him from going on loan at this time last year.
Due to injury troubles and Michael Olise’s form, Rak-Sakyi did not play as much as he would have wanted during the 2023/24 season, although he did make an impression in some of the games he did.
One of those came in a 0-0 tie with Nottingham Forest in October, after which Hodgson praised him to cpfc.co.uk.
He remarked, “I was thrilled for him. He returned from a highly successful loan period. There were numerous clubs interested in signing him again.
“I had to struggle with him a little bit to convince him that if he truly wants to be a Premier League player, he is in the right location, and chances would come, and today he got that chance, which I believe he took extremely effectively.
“He not only performed well on the ball, but also on defense. Of course, when you have talented wingers, you ask questions like, “Is he going to be good on the ball for those few moments he has it, but also what is he going to be like when we’re working hard to keep them from doing something with it?”
Rak-Sakyi is exactly what Leeds needs out wide.
Though a lot needs to happen for this transaction to go through, Rak-Sakyi is exactly the type of player Leeds lacks among their many choices.
The 21-year-old is a left-footed winger who prefers to play off the right side, cutting inside and scoring goals, similar to Summerville off the opposite flank last season.
Rak-Sakyi also has a keen eye for goal, having scored 15 goals and assisted eight times for Charlton Athletic in League One during the 2022/23 season while on loan.
He has also scored 23 goals and provided seven assists for Crystal Palace’s U21s in Premier League Two
