If the final standings of the 2012/13 English Premier League season were to reflect the annual transfer expenditure of each team, come Sunday 19th May, QPR fans will be rejoicing in a remarkable 4th place finish, and qualification to the Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be mulling over a contract offer of £900k a week, and Tony Fernandes will be frantically organising his schedule, so as to fit in as many Fifa match-ups as possible with potential transfer targets, and further display his more human side.
Back in reality however, last Sunday’s 0-0 thriller against Reading saw an arrogant and disinterested QPR side surrender to mathematical damnation, with the kind of performance that induces such a highly concentrated level of boredom, that even sleep can offer no release.
In their short stint as a Premier League club, QPR drafted in no fewer than 31 new players, spending upwards of £60 million on transfer fees, not to mention their facetious approach to player wages.
With their relegation now confirmed, it seems that a mass overhaul of the squad during the summer transfer window is all but a certainty, but who is to benefit? Let us consider the players that are most likely to still find themselves playing in the Premier League next season.
The owners will undoubtedly do what they can to hold on to their big name players and in all likelihood will be largely successful, considering the depth of their financial backing. Yet, for those players who were initially drawn to the club by Fernandes’ vision, and the chance to play for a ‘top’ English club with lofty ambitions, the prospect of plying their trade in the Championship for the next year may not be terribly appealing. (Thoughts are especially with Julio Cesar at this time who was quoted, when he joined the club as looking forward to challenging for the title…bless.)
Leading the exodus is almost certainly going to be French striker Loic Remy, who has been a rare success story at QPR since his move from Marseille in January. Rangers narrowly saw off competition from Newcastle for his signature earlier in the year and he has since been linked with Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham.
With the release clause in his contract said to be around £8 million, for whoever manages to sign Remy, it will be a fantastic piece of business. Having already impressed with his eye for goal, this is a player who would walk into most Premier League sides and could be devastating given the right service.
Another player who is likely to leave at the end of the season to satisfy his desire to remain in the top flight, is Junior Hoilett. The Canadian winger, previously of Blackburn, has now played part in two consecutive Premier league campaigns that have ended in relegation, though this is no reflection of his ability.
great article!! knows his stuff