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Before the transfer window opened, I predicted 13 player signings until end of August. I now think my estimate might have been on the low side.
We are now half through the transfer window. Most signings tend to happen at the tail end of the window, with transfer deadline day being a day of panic with a flurry of signings during a few hours.
So far we have signed five players: Nardi, Santos, Morrison, Bennie and Celar. Varane and Frabotta are reported to be close, but there are still hurdles to pass. If they come to fruition, it makes it 7. It is already more than some posters predicted.
So far, 13 players have left, so we are six short compared to 23/24 even if Varane and Frabotta will sign: Willock, Armstrong, Begovic, Dozzell, Kakay, Adomah, Archer, Drewe, Duke-McKenna og Gubbins. Richards, Kelman and Larkech are sent out on season-long loans. Admittedly, a few of these were fringe players that hardly featured.
We are not finished with player sales and players leaving on loan: There are speculations surrounding JCS, Dykes and Paal. I would not be surprised to see all of them leaving. Chair has two years left of his contract. If he does not prolong it, the timing for a sale is ideal, as his peak value is right now if his wish is to run down the present contract. We do not want to end up with a new Willock situation. Some unexpected exits might also happen. Will Canon be happy to be third choice, or will he hand in a transfer request?
On top of Varane and Frabotta I think we will sign eight more players for following positions, bring the total signing to 15 - two more than I predicted in my previous post a month ago:
Goalkeeper (1):
Walsh and Cooper are talented players and did well on loan last season. I do not think their development will be best served by sitting on the bench for a year. I think both will be sent out on loan, and an cheap Archer type signing made as understudy to Nardi. I think that Marti gave a hint about that when the club offered Begovic a new contract, but telling him that he would not be first choice.
Central defenders (1+):
If Dunne remains our favoured right back, we will be short if JCS leaves. I expect one central defender to be signed but I don't rule out even two if JCS leaves.
Left backs (1+):
If Paal leaves, on top of Larkech going out on loan, Frabotta might not be sufficient. I know Fox can play left back, but he might be first choice for left side of the central defence if JCS leaves. We could actually sign two left backs, but I think we end up with one.
Midfield (1):
I do not know if Marti will play 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. He might alter, depending on match tactics. If so, he needs at least 5 central midfielders. We have three right now in Fields, Colback and EDB. If we sign Varane, we need one more, as I think Tuck and Talla will not be regulars in the match day squad, but might get the odd chances in cup matches, and might get some cameo appearances.
Attacking midfield/wingers (3):
We are short on attacking midfielders and wingers. If we include Kolli we have four: Chair, Andersen, Smyth and Kolli. Lloyd is not ready, and could well be sent on loan. I think we might sign minimum two in these positions. If Chair leaves, we need three. I do not rule out that Kolli might go out on loan to get regular playing time, but based on what I saw against Spurs he might already be ready to play an important role this season. However, he has just one year left of his contract if I am correct. If he does not prolong, he might even be sold, similar to Armstrong.
Strikers (1):
We have three strikers. As long as we play with just one on top, it might be enough, but I think we will sign one more proven goalscorer, as the striker position is still a weak spot. Dykes might leave.
This makes it minimum 8 new signing, and including the 7 we have signed and are likely to sign (Varana/Frabotta) it gets to 15 or even more. Out of the eight, some will be loan signings.
The number of outgoing players (sales and loans) might be even higher than 15. I think 17 to 19 players will leave before 1 September. This leaves us with a smaller squad than last season, but some from the development squad may make up the difference.
I cannot remember such huge turnaround ever during my time as a QPR supporter.
We are now half through the transfer window. Most signings tend to happen at the tail end of the window, with transfer deadline day being a day of panic with a flurry of signings during a few hours.
So far we have signed five players: Nardi, Santos, Morrison, Bennie and Celar. Varane and Frabotta are reported to be close, but there are still hurdles to pass. If they come to fruition, it makes it 7. It is already more than some posters predicted.
So far, 13 players have left, so we are six short compared to 23/24 even if Varane and Frabotta will sign: Willock, Armstrong, Begovic, Dozzell, Kakay, Adomah, Archer, Drewe, Duke-McKenna og Gubbins. Richards, Kelman and Larkech are sent out on season-long loans. Admittedly, a few of these were fringe players that hardly featured.
We are not finished with player sales and players leaving on loan: There are speculations surrounding JCS, Dykes and Paal. I would not be surprised to see all of them leaving. Chair has two years left of his contract. If he does not prolong it, the timing for a sale is ideal, as his peak value is right now if his wish is to run down the present contract. We do not want to end up with a new Willock situation. Some unexpected exits might also happen. Will Canon be happy to be third choice, or will he hand in a transfer request?
On top of Varane and Frabotta I think we will sign eight more players for following positions, bring the total signing to 15 - two more than I predicted in my previous post a month ago:
Goalkeeper (1):
Walsh and Cooper are talented players and did well on loan last season. I do not think their development will be best served by sitting on the bench for a year. I think both will be sent out on loan, and an cheap Archer type signing made as understudy to Nardi. I think that Marti gave a hint about that when the club offered Begovic a new contract, but telling him that he would not be first choice.
Central defenders (1+):
If Dunne remains our favoured right back, we will be short if JCS leaves. I expect one central defender to be signed but I don't rule out even two if JCS leaves.
Left backs (1+):
If Paal leaves, on top of Larkech going out on loan, Frabotta might not be sufficient. I know Fox can play left back, but he might be first choice for left side of the central defence if JCS leaves. We could actually sign two left backs, but I think we end up with one.
Midfield (1):
I do not know if Marti will play 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. He might alter, depending on match tactics. If so, he needs at least 5 central midfielders. We have three right now in Fields, Colback and EDB. If we sign Varane, we need one more, as I think Tuck and Talla will not be regulars in the match day squad, but might get the odd chances in cup matches, and might get some cameo appearances.
Attacking midfield/wingers (3):
We are short on attacking midfielders and wingers. If we include Kolli we have four: Chair, Andersen, Smyth and Kolli. Lloyd is not ready, and could well be sent on loan. I think we might sign minimum two in these positions. If Chair leaves, we need three. I do not rule out that Kolli might go out on loan to get regular playing time, but based on what I saw against Spurs he might already be ready to play an important role this season. However, he has just one year left of his contract if I am correct. If he does not prolong, he might even be sold, similar to Armstrong.
Strikers (1):
We have three strikers. As long as we play with just one on top, it might be enough, but I think we will sign one more proven goalscorer, as the striker position is still a weak spot. Dykes might leave.
This makes it minimum 8 new signing, and including the 7 we have signed and are likely to sign (Varana/Frabotta) it gets to 15 or even more. Out of the eight, some will be loan signings.
The number of outgoing players (sales and loans) might be even higher than 15. I think 17 to 19 players will leave before 1 September. This leaves us with a smaller squad than last season, but some from the development squad may make up the difference.
I cannot remember such huge turnaround ever during my time as a QPR supporter.
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