How Queens Park Rangers could have lined up if they kept hold of their best players and loanees.
Queens Park Rangers’ Jordan Cousins and Swindon Town’s Jermaine Hylton in action
With QPR currently risking stagnation in the Championship following their 2015 relegation from the English top flight, we will now look back at some of their best players of recent times in order to see just how good a squad they could have if they kept hold of them.
QPR were notable for signing an abundance of players during their Premier League spells and although they achieved little in the way of success, they still possessed some fine individual talents.
This may also contain some loan signings so although the club stood little chance of ever retaining them, they still featured and will be included.
Here is the XI:
GK: Julio Cesar
Champions League winner Julio Cesar had high hopes after joining QPR from Inter Milan in 2012 and quickly revealed his title ambitions for the London club.
Unfortunately things didn’t quite work out as the Brazilian stopper suffered relegation in his first season at the Rs.
Still an excellent keeper in his own right, the 37-year-old is currently at Portuguese side Benfica as they look to make an impact in this season’s Champions League.
RB: Kyle Walker
The first loanee on this list, England international Kyle Walker spent half a season at Loftus Road during the 2010/11 season.
The Tottenham Hotspur man has gone on to become on of the Premier League’s most accomplished full-backs after claiming a PFA Young Player and Team of the Year double in 2012.
CB: Stephane Mbia
Although Mbia didn’t quite enjoy the finest spell of his career at the Hoops, he is still regarded as one of Africa’s best defensive midfielders after he won back-to-back Europa League titles with Sevilla in 2014 and 2015.
Also capable of playing at centre-back, the Cameroonian international came under fire following a thoughtless tweet to Joey Barton in 2013 that asked the midfielder if he could switch clubs with him and move back to Marseille.
CB: Steven Caulker
England international goalscorer Steven Caulker remains at QPR despite unsuccessful loan spells at Liverpool and Southampton last season.
The 24-year-old joined the Rs in 2014 and has now made over 40 appearances for the club, scoring twice.
LB: Fabio
Brazilian left-back Fabio spent a season on loan from Manchester United in 2012/13 after struggling to earn a starting place at his former parent club.
Although Armand Traore is another reasonable option in this position, Fabio currently finds himself playing for Premier League side Middlesbrough and would arguably just get the nod over the Senegalese international.
RM: Andros Townsend
Townsend first burst on to the Premier League scene in 2013 following his loan move from Spurs during the winter transfer window.
The England international winger scored two goals in 12 appearances for the Hoops including a dipping volley in the win over Sunderland.
The 25-year-old now finds himself at rival club Crystal Palace following a £13m summer move from relegated Newcastle United.
CM: Esteban Granero
Sadly just one of many moves that didn’t quite work out for QPR. Esteban Granero’s arrival from Real Madrid in 2012 was met with much excitement by Hoops fans as they looked to have bought a top quality playmaker.
Granero made almost 100 appearances during his three seasons at the Bernabeu but his move to England wasn’t particularly successful as he failed to help QPR avoid relegation.
Now at Real Sociedad, the 29-year-old is still regarded as a cultured player and a high quality passer it’s just unfortunate he didn’t enjoy more success at Loftus Road.
CM: Leroy Fer
Dutch international Leroy Fer bagged eight goals in 50 games for the Rs before his permanent move to Swansea City in the summer.
The powerhouse midfielder has made a storming start in the Premier League for the Swans this season with two goals already this season.
His fierce shot, height, strength and heading ability make him a formidable opponent for any opposition midfielder.
LM: Raheem Sterling
Technically this one is slightly cheating as Raheem Sterling never actually made a first team appearance for QPR prior to his move to Liverpool in 2010.
Still, the 21-year-old is one of England’s top widemen and a £50m move to Manchester City last summer goes to show just how highly rated he is, even if he doesn’t always show it on the pitch.
However a strong start to the season under new City boss Pep Guardiola looks to have rejuvenated the England international.
ST: Loic Remy
French frontman Loic Remy may have only made a small impact during his time at the club but few could doubt his quality as he went on to secure a move to Chelsea following a successful loan spell at Newcastle.
His mesmerizing winner against Wigan Athletic was undoubtedly the highlight of Remy’s short career for the Rs as he bagged six goals in 14 Premier League matches.
ST: Charlie Austin
Charlie Austin was deadly in-front of goal during his time at Loftus Road with 48 goals in 89 matches for the club.
His form during the 2014/15 Premier League season couldn’t stop QPR from being relegated but he still ended the season as one of the top flight’s top goal scorers with 18 goals.
After struggling to make an impact following his move to Southampton earlier in the year, surely Rs fans wouldn’t mind taking him back?
Full XI (4-4-2): Cesar; Walker, Mbia, Caulker, Fabio; Townsend, Granero, Fer, Taarabt; Remy, Austin
Substitutes: Faulin (CM), Traore (LB), Sandro (CM), Vargas (ST), Simpson (RB), Onuoha (CB), Taarabt (CAM)
Queens Park Rangers manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Do you agree with this team? Where would it finish in the Premier League?
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