QPR told to avoid the likes of Dele Alli and Ryan Kent in "not realistic" free agent move | OneFootball

FLW's QPR fan pundit has urged the club not to look into the free agent market despite the amount of injuries they have suffered

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…

Queens Park Rangers have suffered numerous injuries in attacking areas as of late, with questions being raised about whether Julien Stephan's side should potentially be looking at some free agents in the wake of this situation.

It has been a very up-and-down season for QPR thus far, with the West London outfit neither in immediate danger of relegation nor strong candidates for a top-six place.

In what is Julien Stephan's first season with the R's, and indeed his first season managing outside of France, the 45-year-old will likely be content with how his first season at the club has gone, albeit he will have some frustrations too.

QPR invested heavily in their attacking options during the summer, bringing in the likes of Richard Kone, Koki Saito, Kwame Poku, Karamoko Dembele, and Rumarn Burrell.

Though unfortunately for Stephan, injuries have ravaged his side, especially in recent weeks, with the likes of Ilias Chair, Poku, Dembele, and Burrell spending time in the treatment room.

Alongside those out injured has been January signing Justin Obikwu, with Stephan's options in attack being drastically limited as a result, as QPR may be wondering whether to delve into the free agent market to solve this issue.

QPR backed to stay away from the free agent market and stick with what they have

Football League World's QPR fan pundit, Louis, has provided their thoughts on whether the R's should delve into the free agent market, given the array of injuries they have suffered.

Louis said, "I think a lot of the names, such as Jesse Lingard, Dele Alli, Ryan Kent, you know, Michail Antonio, I just can't see any of them being any sort of realistic signing that the club would make. I think there are so many risks that come with sort of players like that, and you know, with our sort of model, I think it's pretty clear that if they thought we needed more players, they would have probably got someone in January and not maybe relied on a free agent."Obviously, injuries have been a massive concern; they have really messed up parts of this season for us. I think they're heavily relying on, well, especially in recent weeks. Obviously, with Burrell being out, some wingers being out, we've had a lot of game time for Bennie and Kolli, and we're kind of relying on these players, and I just, I think it would have been done by now if the club wanted to make another sort of signing in that area.

"To an extent, these players have kind of done a job for us, obviously not been very good, but you can't expect much of them, these young players. You could maybe argue we could look into that free agent market just to get a body in there, but I think with players coming back, we're at the business end of the season, we've still got a new signing in Obikwu to come in."I think the club have probably decided now that if they wanted to in January, it'd be done. We got what we needed in January, and then it's all now sort of players coming back, and we might push on in the final stage of the season or really get everyone fit and going for the start of next season. Because it could be a good one if we sort of build from this one. Again, it's that hope, keeping everyone fit for the majority of the time."But yeah, I think when the free agent market consists of players that are not realistic to what we want, I just can't, I cannot see us signing anyone from that sort of market. So yeah, I think they're going to carry on relying on like your Bennie's and Kolli's, as I say, and then it hopefully won't be long until Burrell, Chair, and all those sorts of players are back starting games for us."

Julien Stephan has been incredibly unfortunate with injury problems in his QPR squad

Injuries are always a valid excuse as to why a team may be underperforming, and in QPR's case, it's certainly understandable as to why they have not hit the heights that the squad, on paper, certainly looks capable of.

Burrell has been arguably the best signing they made during the summer, joining from League One Burton Albion, scoring ten and assisting three in 26 games prior to picking up an injury in early January.

Daniel Bennie and Rayan Kolli have been thrust into the side as a result, and though the pair haven't been too bad, it's certainly a drop-off in comparison to their injured players.

It looks like QPR will be sticking with what they have for now and opting against scouring the free agent market, with Stephan hoping his current crop can do the job and his injured stars return sooner rather than later.