Daniel Lambert selects five players he thinks Warbs should be looking into in pursuit of revamping his side to their full potential.
As the season draws ever closer to an end, the transfer rumours and player interest draw ever closer. For QPR, young talents like Eze and Bright Osayi-Samuel are grabbing attention from the likes of Premier league clubs which can only mean that there will be some sort of funds available to Mark Warburton to improve the squad he already has. Many QPR fans are aware of Warburton’s impact on youth and his adaptability to use the loan and free market wisely. In the article I am going to assess the players I feel QPR should pursue in order to move forward as a club.
Barrie McKay
Barrie McKay is a 25-year-old winger who is currently on loan at Fleetwood from his parent club Swansea. Although he is very much out of favour under Steve Cooper after only playing 4 times and registering a single assist, he is very much a favourite of Mark Warburton’s having signed him twice for Rangers and Nottingham Forest. Under Warburton he registered 17 goals and 29 assists within 101 appearances so Mark Warburton definitely knows how to get the best out of him. He has been capped by Scotland at the time he was playing his best football under Warburton and with only a year left on his contract whilst being out of favour, this suggests there is a possibility in getting him on a cut price deal.
Armand Gnanduillet
The 28-year-old striker currently plays for Blackpool and leaves as a free agent having decided to not sign another deal with the tangerines. He has been in prolific scoring form scoring 18 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions. The 6ft 3 striker is best known as a deep lying playmaker with his strengths being his Ariel ability, hold up play and finishing. With the R’s having seen Jordan Hugill being a bit of a hit with Rangers fans there is definitely hope that a player of Gnanduillet’s ability could fill the void that Hugill will leave at the end of the season. Also, it’s worth noting that during Warburton’s managerial career and with the style of play he plays, Warburton is very fond of a physical striker with the chances his teams create.
Scott Mckenna
The 23-year-old defender has received a significant amount of interest from clubs over the last year or so. Mckenna fits the ideal modern defender being able to play with the ball at his feet and would seem the perfect fit alongside Barbet at the back. As well as his ball playing capabilities, he also is a very physical defender. Mckenna has recorded 9 clean sheets this season and with the lack of goals Aberdeen have produced this season they have very much been reliant on the likes of Mckenna to keep it tight at the back. He will cost Rangers in the region of around 2-4 million pounds however with the likes of Eze and Bright Osayi Samuel potentially departing, it will give QPR a bigger budget to improve the squad and I am sure after the defensive displays over the course of this season, Warburton will want to tighten up at the back.
Moses Odubajo
The 26-year-old defender is out of contract at the end of the season having been out of favour under Garry Monk of late and has only made 16 appearances for the Owls. He has previously played under Mark Warburton at Brentford having purchased him from Leyton Orient all those years ago. With Angel Rangel looking like his future at QPR is uncertain and Todd Kane not necessarily being a favourite under Mark Warburton and QPR fans, Odubajo could be a great fit as he is an attacking full back which suits the attacking play under Warburton and he can also play further forward as a right midfielder/winger and having that versatility could be crucial if injuries become a problem.
Kieran Dowell
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is currently on loan at Wigan from his parent club Everton. Many QPR fans might be wondering why he is one of the names on this list despite struggling to find his best form under Phillip Cocu and Paul Cook. He has one year left on his deal at Everton and is unlikely to claim a first team spot under Ancelotti therefore he may have to find a club elsewhere. He has played under Warburton, on loan at Nottingham Forest registering 8 goals and 4 assists in 28 appearances, his best loan spell of his career despite being a squad player in Sheffield United’s promotion campaign to the Premier League last season. The likelihood is that Eze will depart QPR in the summer and having Dowell in the no.10 spot wouldn’t be a bad move, especially considering Warburton gives his attacking players a lot of license to create chances. He can operate along all positions within the front three in front of the striker which gives Mark Warburton more creativity with where he plays and like I said he is out of contract at the end of the season so if he has a successful loan spell, then who knows whether we can get him on a free the following season.
Written by Daniel Lambert