QPR told Richard Kone situation is a "massive" boost | OneFootball

FLW's R's Fan Pundit thinks Richard Kone has a huge part to play over the festive period for Julien Stéphan's side

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…

There is belief that Richard Kone's omission from the Ivory Coast squad for AFCON 2025 could prove to be a "blessing" for Queens Park Rangers.

Despite earning his maiden international cap in a 2-0 friendly win against Oman on 18 November, the 22-year-old is not a part of the Elephant’s 26-man squad for the upcoming tournament in Morocco.

Having not scored for the R's since October, the timing of Kone's exclusion has left FLW's Rangers Fan Pundit, Louis Moir, discussing what it could mean for his immediate future at Loftus Road.

Queens Park Rangers handed "massive" Richard Kone AFCON boost

Moir believes the Kone situation presents a unique opportunity for him rather than a setback, particularly given the circumstances of the striker's recent form and the Championship's winter schedule.

"I thought he might've been with the squad because he got called up for the first time not long ago, but to know that he's still going to play games for us is massive," Moir reflected on Kone remaining available for QPR throughout the AFCON period.

"Obviously, you've got so many games around the Christmas, New Year period, it's a big, big part of the season," he added.

In terms of scoring consistently, the Championship has proven somewhat challenging for Kone so far since his summer move from Wycombe Wanderers. The Ivorian bagged 21 goals in all competitions last season and was named League One's Player of the Year.

"He started the season on fire, and he’s not scored for quite a few games now but, especially in recent weeks, he’s picked up his performance levels and had a massive part to play," Moir continued.

His R's strike partner, Rumarn Burrell, has scored nine league goals compared to Kone's four, but Moir has expressed the need for patience with the former Chairboy. As per Capology estimates, the Ivorian is earning £7.5k-per-week, whilst Burrell is on £5k-per-week.

"I think people still forget he’s (Kone) really young, and it’s still his first time playing in the Championship - like every striker will go through a patch where they just don’t score, or they’re not in the best form. I still think he’s going to score quite a few."

Queens Park Rangers poised to be "up there" with Rumarn Burrell and Richard Kone

Kone image credit - Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

The prospect of Kone rediscovering his scoring touch alongside Burrell presents an exciting narrative for Moir heading into the second half of the campaign.

"With him and Burrell. If Burrell continues scoring and Kone starts adding goals to his game again, if you've got two of them up front you're going to be up there come the end of the season," Moir explained, outlining his vision for where the West London club could finish 25/26.

As mentioned earlier, Burrell is enjoying a much better spell in front of goal for the R's at the minute - but the two do combine very well on the pitch. Against West Bromwich Albion, Kone assisted the Jamaican's first goal of the game, so it's not like he's not contributing in other ways.

"He's (Kone) a top class striker, just a bit below his best form really, that's the only thing that's happening with him at the minute." This is perhaps why the Fan Pundit identified Kone's exclusion from AFCON as a potential turning point that could reignite his QPR season.

Moir concluded by telling FLW: "If anything, him not being in the Ivory Coast squad might be a blessing.

"He might see that as, like, he might need to do more at club level to get into the next Ivory Coast squad, it will only benefit him as well as us."

Clearly, the benefit of keeping Kone available during QPR's demanding festive schedule could prove a 'blessing' as Moir predicts. Yes, Kone may be disheartened about AFCON, but there's also a possibility he goes to the World Cup next year, which is definitely a source of extra motivation.