Sam Parkin raises Richard Kone exit fear at QPR | OneFootball

The Hoops will have to climb the table to keep their new star man

Former EFL striker Sam Parkin has revealed fears over Richard Kone’s future at Queens Park Rangers.

The 22 year old joined up with the R’s in August following a stellar breakthrough EFL season with Wycombe Wanderers.

The West London side sit firmly midtable following the Championship’s opening five games, with the Ivory Coast born striker netting in the team’s last three games.

Kone’s rapid rise has been nothing short of remarkable. After arriving in the UK in 2019 to play in the Homeless World Cup, he impressed at grassroots level with Athletic Newham before earning his chance at Wycombe.

In his first full EFL season, he hit 21 goals across all competitions, claiming both League One Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards in 2024/25.

That form persuaded QPR to part with an initial £2.75 million fee this summer, beating Leicester City and Swansea City to his signature.

Former EFL striker raises Richard Kone exit fears after stellar QPR start

Kone image credit - Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

Former EFL striker and QPR fan Sam Parkin has opened up on fears that a lack of upward mobility could cut short Kone’s stay at Loftus Road.

Speaking on Benjamin Bloom’s Championship Score Predictions show, Parkin was asked if he’d been excited by Kone’s performances in blue and white so far.

“Yes, it is hard not to get carried away because I just think it has been so long for the QPR supporters since they have had somebody who can run away from opposition defences, someone who can guarantee you a goals return.” Parkin said.

“My only worry is that he will not stick around particularly long.

“Listen, QPR, we were a top club once upon a time in the Premier League, established.

“I think it will take a while to get back there, so I just worry that someone will come and take him.”

Richard Kone’s QPR goal streak highlights growing transfer risk

Goals have been hard to come by at Loftus Road in recent years, with no striker managing double figures in the league since Andre Gray in 2021/22.

Kone’s arrival has changed that narrative almost instantly.

His debut goal came in the heavy defeat at Coventry, but back-to-back strikes against Charlton and Wrexham have helped Julien Stephan’s side climb into midtable after a slow start.

Statistically, his ruthlessness has stood out - three shots on target producing three goals underlines the clinical edge he has brought to West London.

Fans have long craved a goalscorer capable of carrying the team, and early signs suggest they may finally have found one.

What's even more encouraging is that, with the likes of Ilias Chair, Karamoke Dembele, Kwame Poku and Harvey Vale, they have the creative quality in the side to continue providing service to Kone, who is showing no signs of slowing down and already looks an inspired acquisition for the Hoops.

For now, those supporters will simply be hoping that Kone’s fairytale start continues when the R’s face high-flying Stoke City at the weekend.

Whether they can keep hold of their new talisman beyond the short term, however, may depend on how quickly the club can climb the Championship table, with Kone's goalscoring exploits sure to garner Premier League attention should they continue.