Jesurun Rak-Sakyi attracted strong interest from several Championship sides this winter, but it is Stoke City who have secured the Crystal Palace winger for the remainder of the season.
Stoke are already well stocked in wide areas during the 2025/26 campaign. Mark Robins has relied heavily on Sorba Thomas and Million Manhoef, with Jun-ho Bae and Lamine Cisse also offering options on the flanks. Thomas and Manhoef have been among the team’s most consistent performers, with the Welshman enjoying the most productive season of his career to date.
Rak-Sakyi now heads out on his third loan spell away from Selhurst Park. He impressed at Charlton Athletic in 2022/23, registering 15 goals and nine assists across 49 appearances. Last season brought further Championship experience at Sheffield United, where he contributed seven goals and two assists in 36 matches under Chris Wilder. At 23, the winger will be looking to take another step forward at Stoke during the second half of the season.
However, his arrival could complicate matters for Million Manhoef. Transfer expert Pete O’Rourke recently revealed that Swansea City had withdrawn from the chase for Rak-Sakyi after once leading the race, with Stoke emerging as the player’s preferred destination. The Potters have spent much of the season hovering around the play-off places, and Rak-Sakyi’s addition gives Robins another dynamic attacking option.
Both Rak-Sakyi and Manhoef share similar qualities. They are quick, direct, and effective ball carriers, particularly on the right side. Manhoef has not matched Thomas’ output in goals and assists, but he has clearly progressed and looks on track to surpass last season’s total of 12 goal contributions.
With Rak-Sakyi coming in, Manhoef’s starting spot may come under threat. While competition is healthy, Manhoef has been developing steadily through regular starts and has grown in confidence as the season has gone on.
Robins could consider deploying one of them on the left, though neither is ideally suited to that role given their preference to cut inside on their stronger foot. Dropping one of Stoke’s standout performers would also be a bold call.
There is also a longer-term factor to consider. Manhoef is a Stoke player with resale value, while Rak-Sakyi is only on loan from Crystal Palace until the summer. That balance between short-term impact and long-term development will weigh heavily on Robins’ decisions in the coming months.
Manhoef may be frustrated by the move, but it now presents him with a challenge. How he responds could be key to ensuring the right-wing role remains his own.