As is normally the case, however, the signings made in January will probably be players no one has mentioned; hints were given though, “If we sign a few players from Asia it will definitely help QPR develop as a brand,” said the manager when it emerged he had traveled to the continent in mention to watch South Korea do battle with U.A.E. It is likely that Warnock is on the trail of countrymen of the former rather than the latter and the omens are good for any potential signing.
The Premier League already has the Korean trio of Arsenal’s Park, Manchester United’s Park and Sunderland’s Ji Dong-Wong and the United midfielder has enjoyed illustrious success under Ferguson with a reputation of determination, commitment and a regular in Fergie’s big game teams. His contemporaries have had less time to settle in to the Premier League, but both have shown promise: “Park is a quality player, we see that in training, and he is a very intelligent player, believe you will see more and more of Park,” said Wenger having seen his new recruit net on his 2nd appearance last month. As for Ji, Bruce has told fans that, ““Ji plays up front with the lad from Arsenal, but in his country Ji is the rising star – he’s the new Park Ji-sung.”
Warnock was supposedly watching three players in particular, but there is more than just footballing ability at play, “it will definitely help QPR develop as a brand,” explained Warnock, “By owning a Premier League club Tony has shot up in profile over there. This is the start of something and I feel the club can develop a global presence because of the owners and the contacts they have.” However fans worried that money will be ill-spent on players purely to flagship an Asian QPR can be assured that players will be bough to strengthen, “By all means we want to improve the squad long-term, as well immediate.”
Dipping into the Asian market may well be a move taken up by many soon and Warnock’s quick move to start scouting firsthand now, may give him the first pick of the Korean class of the future. “Two aspects of the development of the game; one will come from the States, the second big part I’m convinced will be Asia,” said Arsene Wenger, who has managed in Japan. “In these two countries and continents they have an aptitude to have a team attitude and hard-working attitude and I think once they get the education they will produce good players.”
Who could QPR expect though; Koo Ja-Cheol, Nam Tae-Hee or Son Heung-Min?
Have your say…
Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/ For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit
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It makes more and more sense in these days off mega million pound transfers to try and find cheap talent from the Asian continent. There is no doubting that technically the players are often superior to alot of our own home grown players. What most have lacked before is the physical ability to compete in the English leagues. It will be interesting to see how QPR get on