Claim made on 'strange situation' at QPR involving Rayan Kolli - Loftus Road future discussed | OneFootball

FLW's QPR fan pundit has given his verdict on Rayan Kolli's QPR future

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Rayan Kolli issued a statement earlier this month to reiterate his commitment to QPR amid speculation over his future.

The forward has struggled for game time under Julien Stéphan following his arrival as manager in the summer.

The 20-year-old has come through the ranks of the Hoops’ academy system, and made 20 appearances in the Championship last season, but he has so far played just five times from 15 fixtures.

The young forward released a statement claiming he has no intention of leaving, and that he even turned down opportunities to leave before signing a new long-term deal with the second division side.

Kolli contributed four goals and two assists in the previous campaign, but has yet to find the back of the net or set up a goal under Stéphan.

Rayan Kolli could be used more by QPR

When asked about Kolli’s situation, FLW’s QPR fan pundit Louis Moir claimed that the forward could be utilised more in the side based on the potential he showed last season.

He cited Michael Frey as someone playing who has under-performed that the 20-year-old could replace in the pecking order, and that his frustrations about his game time are understandable given the new contract he signed earlier this year.

“With the Kolli situation, you could say well so far this season it’s been a bit of a shambles because things were expected of him to sort of play a lot more than he has,” Moir told Football League World.

“He’s hardly even getting in the matchday squads now, and there seems to be a lack of belief from the manager that he’s up to it, despite the attacking options we’ve got.

“Kolli’s probably getting frustrated himself, signing a long-term deal at the club he wants to be at, and he’s not getting a sniff.

“You could look at it in two ways and think he may just not be as good as some people think, or if he’s not getting a chance and someone like Michael Frey, who has been quite poor this season so far, is getting a look in, coming on in games and that could be Kolli.

“You look at that and think maybe there needs to be a little switcharound, and Kolli has to be utilised a tad more in the squad.

“Because if Frey is not doing a lot in games when he comes on, and that was Kolli, he could be potentially doing a lot more.

“That’s talking like Kolli is potentially a striker, and we’re still really not sure what his best position is.”

Moir has claimed that, if it was up to him, then Kolli would be getting more opportunities to prove himself, especially as having someone in the squad who has such a strong connection to the club would be really positive.

“I do think if you look at it now, he did show last season that he’s capable of scoring a few goals at this level and making a bit of an impact and I think it could well be a bit harsh, upon reflection, that he’s not getting a look in whatsoever,” he added.

“So, if I was Stéphan I would be probably thinking to get Kolli involved in the squad a lot more, and you’ve got the likes of Frey, surely Kolli could do not much worse.

“It’s a strange situation, but for me I can still just see him leaving the club and hopefully not because there could be a lot of talent there, and it would be good to have someone like that because he’s been at the club since he was such a young lad.

“Something needs to change with his situation, but it could be a mix of both potentially not being that good, or the manager just needs to switch it around.”

QPR are currently 16th in the Championship table, nine points clear of the relegation zone and only six points adrift of the play-off places.

Rayan Kolli situation could come to a head as soon as January

If Kolli isn’t in the side much between now and the January window, then he could look to go elsewhere, if even on loan.

At this stage of his career, it is important that he is playing regularly at senior level and gaining experience.

Perhaps dropping down to League One could be on the cards if Stéphan continues to leave him out in the cold.

But the potential he showed last season suggests he is a Championship calibre player, so perhaps returning from the break could lead to him getting another chance to prove himself at QPR.