Football League World
·4 November 2024
Football League World
·4 November 2024
FLW's QPR fan pundit, has seen similarities in that of Clarke-Salter and former R's defender Yoann Barbet.
Judging by QPR's current squad and form, it's hard to pick out a player now who is similar to a past club legend, but this fan's view sees someone in Jake Clarke-Salter.
Clarke-Salter has proven to be a solid centre-back since his move on a free from boyhood club Chelsea in 2022.
The Blues' academy product didn't quite cut it in Cobham for the Premier League side, but he has found his second home at QPR after his performances in the three seasons he's been with the R's.
The 27-year-old endured many loan moves before his move to Rangers, but has fit in perfectly despite QPR's struggles this season so far.
They've had some great defenders in the past, but this one fan's view sees similarities between Clarke-Slater and a former counterpart.
FLW's QPR fan pundit, Louis Moir, has assessed a current player who reminds him of a past club legend or past top player.
"It's hard to really say one current player in the squad who reminds you of a top former player, but looking at it, I think Clarke-Slater reminds me of Yoann Barbet, who I thought, to be quite honest, was very underrated in a way.
"He was a top player for us, and they're very similar, and it reminds me when I watch Clarke-Salter of Barbet because both are left-footed, left-sided centre-backs, both can play in a back five or back three, they're also both really good in the air and on the ball.
"Similar sort of way in the way they defend, and I just think when Barbet left us, I thought we should've kept him but that left-side centre-back that gives you the balance in Clarke-Salter, it was almost like the replacement.
"Barbet was a very good centre-back, and he was a top player for us when we were doing well, even when we weren't doing well, I thought he was.
"He got a slight bit of stick sometimes for being a bit reckless, but I think that was harsh, and I rated him highly. It was a shame we couldn't keep hold of him and extend his contract, to be honest.
"Clarke-Salter, very, very similar to Barbet."
The Frenchman didn't really get his plaudits during his tenure with the R's, but over time some fans have seen the light in the defender.
He helped them to some solid final positions in his final two seasons at Loftus Road, whilst maintaining a solid defensive standard.
Similar to Clarke-Slater, the two share a brilliant ball playing attribute, which has proven useful to Cifuentes and Mark Warburton, who was manager during Barbet's tenure.
Their reliability has been called upon, with both playing the majority of games during their periods with the club, albeit ruling out Clarke-Salter's start in his first season, which was damaged due to injury.
Both have been perceived to be underrated due to their status in average squads, and it has been proven both centre-backs have excelled at previous clubs as well; Clarke-Salter with Coventry City and Barbet at Brentford.
Two players who deserve their plaudits and potentially judged too harshly.
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