QPR have truly hit the jackpot with £2.75m transfer - he's the "best signing in the Championship" | OneFootball

FLW's QPR fan pundit has given his verdict on Richard Kone's start to life at Loftus Road

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…

Richard Kone has made a strong start to life at Queens Park Rangers since making the summer switch from Wycombe Wanderers.

It was reported by The Independent that the forward cost £2.75 million, with add-ons also included in the deal to potentially take it to around the £5 million mark.

The 22-year-old has already scored three goals from his first four appearances in the Championship, immediately cementing himself as a key figure in Julien Stéphan’s side at a very early stage.

Kone has scored in three games in a row, including in their 3-1 victories over both Charlton Athletic and Wrexham.

The forward contributed 18 goals in League One last season, in what was his first full campaign in professional football, and is now making the step up to the Championship after Wycombe were unable to secure promotion through the play-offs.

Richard Kone could be signing of the season in the Championship for QPR and Julien Stephan

When asked if the club got a steal for Kone, FLW’s QPR fan pundit Louis Moir claimed that it is already looking like a bargain price for him based on his record so far.

He’s also noted the forward’s all around game, as well as his goal scoring record, as reason to be optimistic about what he can do with the club.

“We’re very lucky that we only had to pay what we did, and even some of the added bonuses and figures itself, for what you’re getting from him and for what he did League One player of the season, young League One player of the season, he’s obviously worth much more than what we paid for him,” Moir told Football League World.

“So, he’s certainly started the season on fire and it’s so good to see.

“This is what we’ve been missing for years, someone who is capable of just putting the ball in the back of the net, looking like he could be that man to score at least 15 goals.

“And if he does that, he could really change our fortunes this season.

“Every game he’s played so far, it’s not just the goals but it’s his all around performances - he’s just so good.

“You look at his goal against Wrexham, smart play, cold touch to open it up and then bang, unbelievable finish.”]

Richard Kone compared to Charlie Austin after prolific QPR start

Moir compared Kone’s start to life at QPR to the impact Charlie Austin had with the club, suggesting he’s the best striker they’ve had since.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen that up front for QPR and obviously it’s so hard not to get carried away, Kone has to be on his way to becoming the best striker we’ve had since Charlie Austin," Louis added.

“Fingers crossed he just stays fit, injury-free and it’s just so so good having him up front.

“You look at the chances and the football we’re trying to play, he’s going to be on the end of chances and if he’s capable of scoring goals like he did at Wrexham, you’re going to have faith he’s going to be putting in easier chances than that as well.

“And I think with players like [Ilias] Chair and [Kwame] Poku out injured at the moment, but when they’re coming back it’s just going to add to the abundance of attacking quality that we’ve got.

“Obviously, he could well be having some season with us, there could well be interest in him next summer, you don’t know already.

“But, I can confidently say that the deal we’ve done for him is unbelievable business and it’s looking like one of, if not, the best signing in the Championship this season.”

Kone has made the step up to the Championship in just his second full year at senior level, having made 59 appearances in League One for Wycombe in a season-and-a-half.

QPR will be hoping to improve on the 15th place finish they earned in the previous campaign under Martí Cifuentes.

Stéphan’s side have earned seven points from a possible 15 in the opening five games of the new term.

Richard Kone is making a strong first impression at QPR - £2.75m could end up being a steal

Kone has started quite well, proving that he is capable of competing at a Championship level already.

It will be difficult to maintain his record of three goals every four appearances, but he does look capable of scoring between 15 and 20 across a full campaign, if he can continue showing the promise that has already been evident.

QPR have been crying out for some greater attacking threat, with Andre Gray in 2021/22 being their last player to hit double figures in the league.

With Kwame Poku also at the club now, albeit on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, the west London outfit have the potential to pose a real attacking threat that they lacked in previous years - that 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Coventry City seems like a distant memory.