Football League World
·17 August 2024
2 exciting QPR starlets that could make the club serious money
![Article image:2 exciting QPR starlets that could make the club serious money](https://image-service.onefootball.com/transform?w=280&h=210&dpr=2&image=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic0.footballleagueworldimages.com%2Fwordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F08%2Fqpr-12.png)
Football League World
·17 August 2024
Queens Park Rangers currently have two youngsters on their books who could be sold in the future for decent money.
Queens Park Rangers kicked their 2024/25 campaign off in disappointing fashion.
There will be a quiet optimism this season at Loftus Road as supporters will undoubtedly be getting behind their manager, Marti Cifuentes, in the hopes of an improvement on last season's horror show.
While it is just one game out of 46, their opening day fixture ended in defeat in front of a home crowd against West Bromwich Albion. Just 15 minutes in, QPR took the lead through a Lucas Andersen header, which made their optimism seem justified, but West Brom turned it around with Josh Maja scoring a hat-trick to give the visitors a 3-1 victory.
A defeat at home on opening day is tough to take, but there are certainly some positives for the Hoops fans to take away. The main positive was that a couple of talented youngsters made an appearance and looked to impress. One 19-year-old in particular had an exciting first half against West Brom and seems to be a part of Cifuentes' plans this season.
On that note, Football League World looks at two young talents that could make QPR a lot of money in the future.
Rayan Kolli was the player that got a lot of QPR fans talking last weekend as he showed some promising signs in his first-ever senior start. The 19-year-old started on the left-wing in the absence of Ilias Chair, and while those are big shoes to fill, he certainly made a good account of himself.
15 minutes into his first professional start, he cut onto his favoured right foot on the left wing and delivered a teasing ball into the box that was put away by Lucas Andersen. An assist just 15 minutes in to give QPR their first goal of the season will absolutely raise some eyebrows among the QPR fanbase and their board.
It will also give Marti Cifuentes something to think about moving forward, as the youngster looked to be one of their most exciting sparks in the first half. Unfortunately, in the second half, he received treatment and was subsequently replaced by a fellow youngster, but all in, it was a strong performance.
If Kolli enjoys a breakout season, QPR could be in for a lot of money. At just 19, he looked very comfortable against a strong West Brom side, and the hope is that he can only get better as the season progresses. Cifuentes should absolutely keep him in his plans.
Ironically, the player that replaced Kolli in last weekend's defeat to West Brom was another youngster by the name of Alfie Lloyd. The opening day of the season marked the 21-year-old's debut in a QPR shirt, and he will be hoping that there are more opportunities to come.
Lloyd has been on the books at Loftus Road since 2021 and has since developed through their youth squad. The 2022/23 season saw him gain key experience in men's football as he spent time on loan with Eastleigh in the National League. At one stage, he enjoyed a stretch of five goals in four games, but was unable to replicate that form for the rest of the season.
Now 21, Lloyd has finally been given his first senior appearance in a QPR shirt, as he came on for Rayan Kolli last weekend and played the final 30 minutes. He started, playing 80 minutes against Cambridge in the EFL Cup, and notching a 13th minute assist.
The fact that Lloyd was the first substitute that Cifuentes looked at last weekend and featured in the cup suggests he may be a part of his plans this season. If he can get a run of games and impress, he may turn out to be a valuable asset to the West London club.