West Brom, Huddersfield Town never saw what QPR did with player now shining at Cardiff City | OneFootball

Chris Willock's journey through the EFL has certainly been a story of gradual redemption after his failed Benfica transfer

Chris Willock's journey through the EFL has certainly been a story of gradual redemption, with the 27-year-old winger now plying his trade in League One for Cardiff City.

In truth, his career trajectory has been anything but simple — first marked by early promise at Arsenal's academy and a puzzling stint in Portugal with Benfica.

Then just 19-years-old, Willock signed a five-year contract with the Portuguese champions having never made a Premier League appearance for the Gunners.

While Arsene Wenger previously tipped the "technically" gifted player to break into Arsenal's squad, he only managed 31 appearances for Benfica's first-team before failed loan moves to West Bromwich Albion and Huddersfield Town.

Yet, it was Queens Park Rangers who truly unlocked his potential — setting the stage for his current resurgence with the Bluebirds.

Chris Willock failed to make a single first-team appearance for West Bromwich Albion under Slaven Bilic

Despite joining the Baggies on a season-long loan from Benfica with high expectations and an option for a permanent deal, the former Arsenal academy graduate failed to make a single first-team appearance under Slaven Bilic in 19/20.

The winger was restricted to seven outings for West Brom's U23s, where he scored six goals and provided four assists in the Premier League 2, demonstrating the kind of productivity that should have really warranted senior opportunities.

The Express and Star did report later that November that Albion were considering making his loan permanent for a "reasonable fee", with the club hierarchy viewing him as a player with "real potential" despite not playing any first-team games.

However, Bilic's preference for established Championship performers like Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira meant Willock never got his chance to prove himself at The Hawthorns — after all, it was the season the Black Country outfit finished second.

The closest he came to first-team action was making the bench for a League Cup tie against Millwall, a pretty stark reminder of how quickly promising careers can stall without the right opportunities.

Huddersfield Town saw a brief glimpse of Chris Willock's quality after West Brom disaster

When Willock's West Brom loan was cut short in January 2020, Huddersfield Town provided the lifeline he desperately needed, on his 22nd birthday.

Under Danny Cowley's guidance, the winger began to show glimpses of the player he could become, despite arriving lacking obvious match fitness and carrying the disappointment of his Albion experience.

Willock ended up scoring twice in 14 league appearances during his time in blue and white, including a vital goal in Huddersfield's season-saving 2-1 victory over, you guessed it, West Brom — albeit they only needed a point to ensure survival.

In an interview with The Athletic in 2022, Willock credited former Lincoln City manager Cowley’s coaching skills.

"The Cowley brothers are very good with analysis," Willock explained.

"He always said to me, you have the ability, but you need to focus and implement what positions you need to be in off the ball, which will make it easier for you."

Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff City have seen Chris Willock at his best

QPR's decision to pounce on Willock for £750k from Benfica came after Huddersfield failed to make his loan move permanent — all because they couldn't agree on personal terms.

After managing eight goal contributions in his debut R's season, Willock's peak perhaps came the year after, in 21/22, when he was awarded the EFL Championship Player of the Month for November 2021.

That particular month saw him involved in all six of QPR's goals that month — scoring three goals and assisting the others.

His performances earned him multiple individual awards at the end of the campaign, including the Supporters' Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year.

So, it’s fair to say the consistency issues that had plagued his earlier career were gradually ironed out in West London, though he remained a player who could frustrate as much as he could delight — which perhaps led to Cardiff signing him on a free.

After a disappointing first season with the Welsh outfit where he managed just two goals and two assists in 34 appearances across all competitions, Willock has found new life under Brian Barry-Murphy's management in League One.

The current campaign has seen him match last season’s tally already in 10 League One appearances. Yes, the quality is obviously lower, but he looks to have finally found his rhythm again at Cardiff in a less physically demanding division.

So, surely QPR's successful development of Willock suggests what might have been achieved in the right environment at Benfica, West Brom or even Huddersfield — as it's clear he's very much a 'confidence' player.