Massimo Luongo didn’t get a single minute of playing time for Australia at the World Cup but the midfielders’s absence could pay dividends for QPR.
Queens Park Rangers midfielder Massimo Luongo will shortly be returning to pre-season training after a disappointing World Cup in Russia. Not only did Australia stumble at the first hurdle, Luongo was an unused substitute in all three games.
The QPR Player of the Year was tipped to make a lasting impression for the Socceroos but his lack of game time might swing in the favour of Steve McClaren.
The R’s boss was likely wary of Luongo’s talents being showcased on football’s biggest stage but the fact that Loungo didn’t manage to get on the pitch will likely keep interest in him at a distance.
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Much has been made of the tough-tackling midfielder after a superb season in west London but now it appears that suitors for Luongo will likely fade away, until January at least.
McClaren has already lost one key player in the shape of Alex Smithies and will want to do everything in his power to keep Luongo at Loftus Road for the new campaign. The 25-year-old is a fans favourite and offers a whole range of attributes that certainly make him one of QPR’s most indispensable players.
Admittedly, Luongo is perhaps still feeling disappointed not to get on the pitch in Russia but if he can keep his head down and continue doing what he does week in and week out at club level, everybody will benefit. It’ll be tough when Luongo does eventually move on but the fact he was kept out of the shop window this summer may prove beneficial for McClaren’s side.
Luongo scored six goals and assisted three more in 39 appearances last season as QPR finished 16th in the Championship.
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