Aramide Oteh has impressed for QPR’s U23 side and is looking to establish himself further this season
Queens Park Rangers striker Aramide Oteh has had a steady if unspectacular start to pre-season, but the youngster can prove a useful weapon in manager Steve McClaren’s armoury this season.
Scoring from the spot for QPR in Friday’s 7-0 rout over Staines Town, Oteh reminded the R’s management of his potential, and McClaren and his staff will need to nurture the striker to get the best out of him.
Renowned for his pace and quick feet, Oteh went on to score 16 goals for the U23 side last season before scoring on his full debut for the first team in QPR’s 3-1 win at Burton Albion in January.
The 19-year-old went on to make six Championship appearances last season and McClaren will know that he could have another talented youngster on his hands. The likes of Matt Smith, Paul Smyth, Idrissa Sylla and Conor Washington will be preferred to Oteh’s raw potential, but there’s no reason why a move into the QPR starting XI can’t be forced.
QPR’s hands are somewhat tied in regards to spending on new players, and although they were previously linked with strikers Jordan Hugill (The Sun on Sunday 1/7; pg 59) and Chris Martin (West London Sport), the R’s might have to rely on the likes of Oteh as a new source of goals.
With QPR likely to struggle this campaign, Oteh could be the man McClaren turns to late in a game to salvage or win necessary points. It’s perhaps a little to soon to recognise Oteh’s full potential, but if he scores more in pre-season and impresses McClaren, he could yet force himself into the manager’s plans.
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