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Magilton takes a risk with the signing of Alejandro Faurlin
By thegodfather

Emmanuel Ledesma, Sam Di Carmine and Daniel Parejo. These were three young players with clear talent and potential who signed for QPR on year-long loan deals during the summer of 2008. Iain Dowie’s transfer dealings caused real excitement amongst the Rangers faithful. It didn’t last. We all saw how the three youngsters, used to the continental style of play, struggled to adapt to the brawn and aggression of the Championship. Pushed, shoved and kicked off the ball, they were simply not able to make an impact at Loftus Road.

And now, three managers later and almost a year on from those signings, QPR have made another inexperienced addition to the squad – Alejandro Faurlin, a 22 year-old Argentinean midfielder from lower-league South American side, Instituto. Unlike Ledesma, Parejo and Di Carmine, the signing of Faurlin carries a large risk. The Argentinean has signed a three-year contract and the deal is reported to be worth up to 3.5 million pounds. That’s the most the Rs have spent on a player in years.

Jim Magilton certainly seems pleased with his first bit of business in the transfer market as Rangers manager. In an interview on the official website, he has promised that Faurlin will be a “valuable addition to the squad”. And this could well turn out to be true. Just because the likes of Ledesma, Parejo and Di Carmine didn’t make it in the Championship, doesn’t mean that Alejandro can’t. One only has to look at the success of Swansea City last season, a side made up of mainly Spanish players, for evidence that foreign players can make an impact in this very physical and competitive division.

Magilton and Gorman made a similar signing during their spell at Ipswich Town, bringing in Luciano Civelli from Argentinean side, Banfield, in January 2009. The move turned out to be a real success and Civelli impressed the fans at Portman Road with his effort, determination and skill on the ball. From working with Civelli, the QPR management staff will know how to treat young foreign players. This is important, as not only will Faurlin need guidance from Magilton and Gorman on the pitch, he will also need support off it, as he settles into his new life in London.

3.5 million pounds is an awful lot of money though and I can’t help thinking that it might have been better spent on a player with a proven track record in the Championship. The promoted teams from last season, Wolves, Birmingham and Burnley, all had squads packed with talent and experience. Names like Ebanks-Blake, Phillips and Eagles struck fear into the hearts of their opponents. My concern is that managers like Neil Warnock, who have made a trademark out of the aggressive style of play, will see Faurlin as a potential weak-link in the QPR starting line-up.

At least this signing shows that the board is prepared to spend to get the Rs out of this division. Very little is known about Faurlin, but if the rumours are true that top Italian clubs have shown interest in his abilities, he could be a very special player. I really do hope that things work out for the young Argentinean and on behalf of WATRB I would like to wish him the best of luck in what will hopefully be a very long and fruitful QPR career!