Millwall promotion prospects would have been frightening if they had secured Crystal Palace coup | OneFootball

With an already blossoming promotion push for Millwall, it has become clear how much Jesurun Rak-Sakyi would have been if he had signed for the Lions

Millwall have recently surged to eighth in the Championship table, enjoying a spell of seven games unbeaten in the league. With their push for the top six beginning to take shape, the club's former interest in Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has resurfaced as a potential missed opportunity.

It was reported in the summer that Millwall maintained a keen interest in Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. The wide man instead moved to Sheffield United after the Lions' interest in the player never came to fruition.

Had Millwall completed that deal, their promotion prospects would have been even more frightening for the rest of the Championship.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi could have helped Millwall's top six surge

With only four losses from their opening 15 games, it is safe to say Millwall have exceeded their own pre-season expectations so far. After a mid-table 13th-place finish last term, few would have predicted the club to rise to within two points of the play-off places with a third of the season completed, however impressive they were after Neil Harris' appointment amid a relegation battle last season.

However, there is debate to be had whether they would have been even better off if Rak-Sakyi had joined the club on loan from Crystal Palace. The 22-year-old had enjoyed a successful period away from Selhurst Park while at Charlton Athletic. He made 43 league appearances for the club in a single campaign, finding the net on 15 occasions and providing eight assists.

Given Rak-Sakyi was 20 at the time, this was a magnificent return. Now on loan at Sheffield United, he has managed a further two goals and one assist, stepping up in the Championship and competing for minutes in a promotion-chasing side.

By securing nine starts for a high-flying Sheffield United side, the pacy winger has proven that he is capable at second tier level.

A loan fee reportedly rising to £4 million may be the reason Millwall were unable to match Sheffield United's bid and take a gamble on the player. Sadly, the inability to contend for Rak-Sakyi's loan signature could come back to bite Millwall this season if it is the fine margins that see their promotion push or play-off pitch fall short.

Millwall have issues with chance conversion

In spite of Millwall's impressive start, the one major concern for Harris' team has been chance conversion.

Millwall have the league's fourth highest xG with 21.8, but have missed 22 big chances. Right-winger Femi Azeez has missed four on his own, with Duncan Watmore, George Honeyman and George Saville all on three.

With their attackers failing to find the net with conviction, Rak-Sakyi's presence could have made a big difference to the side. Known for his quick dribbling and accurate crossing, the winger would have provided high-quality chances with more regularity, while also chipping in with goals of his own.

In terms of creation, Rak-Sakyi ranks well this season despite not notching regular assists. He ranks in the top percentile for all of the aforementioned statistics, most impressive of which is arguably his 4.56 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes.

This further clarifies the potential of Rak-Sakyi to have transformed the Millwall attack. Less clinical strikers need to be provided with more chances in order to score, and it is clear the Crystal Palace loanee possesses the capability to create such opportunities.

Rak-Sakyi's dribbling and off-the-ball movement also catch the eye. He regularly moves defences around and finds himself in excellent positions to receive forward passes, as well as completing nearly three successful take-ons per match. There is talent in the Millwall forward line, but they still rely on set-pieces for goals, and it is their ability to defend a lead that sets them above others chasing the play-offs. A touch more variety in the final third would not have gone amiss.

Overall, the evidence strongly suggests that Rak-Sakyi had the potential to revolutionise the Millwall frontline. He is impressing at Sheffield United, and could have been a nailed-on starter for Harris' side as well. Whether they will come to regret terminating their interest in the winger remains to be seen - a £4m loan fee would be a stumbling block for most. It is certain that he has a bright future ahead of him in the modern game, and had Millwall landed the player, their push for the top six would have been even more concrete.