QPR – Class of 2025

In this post I will share how we got on during our first full season at QPR using our new Tactical Identity
I will also update you on our first Youth Intake “The Class of 2025”
Following our summer overhaul (Read about it here) We went into the season with a new squad and new identity.

Taylor Richards scored 23 goals from the AM slot and Josh Martin had 12 assists in his first season at this standard.

This led to us finishing a crazy high of 10th place.

Youth Intake

We have one potential first teamer come through, Tall striker Gary Francis.

Going into the summer we were prepared to lose some players due to our overperformance.

£34.177m worth of talent is sold. Dozzell left for £600k to Oxford, Gubbins for £160k to Blackpool. Both were blocking player pathways of younger players and weren’t good enough for this side. Next up was last summers free signing from Man City left after Sunderland met his £6m release clause. Sam Field followed him out of the door to join Hull for £8.25m. Chair’s deal which we agreed last summer for £6m was completed. Paal left us to return to Holland for £1.9m. Duke-Mckenna & Dykes were surplus to requirements so both left for small fees. Derby met Armstrongs £5m release clause before we made a £6m profit on Phillips as he left for Luton.

Following all these departures we then invested £670,000 on bringing in 10 players.

First team

I needed to make sure the quality of the first team didn’t drop too much but also needed to recruit players that we can develop to be sold on

First through the door was Arsenal U21 Charlie Patino who joins on a free following the end of his contract. A playmaking midfielder who will hopefully slot into our midfield.

Reece Burke comes in to replace the departing Paal at RB. At 29 and a decent personality I hope he can offer experience and mentor some players with weaker personalities.

Campbell joins us from Luton on a free hopefully partnering Patino as my new CM pairing.

We have no striker or no first team striker. I’m hoping Harris can play a hold up role up top this season following his release from Brentford.

O’hara and Turns will form my new CB pairing this season with Nevett who we signed last summer completing the back line. 

Youth signings

Young CM Mcdonald joins us from Stevenage. O’brien whos a Left winger also joins from Stevenage.

O’Reilly joins us following his release by Man City, We’re hoping he can have the same impact as Hamilton did last season

Trafford joins us from Barnet as a right winger.

Winter 2026 window
In the winter window we added more investment in youth. £ players also left the club.

These 3 couldn’t break into the side and with the youth I want to bring through I needed to clear the pathway. During this window we have invested £1.421m on youth talent from lower divisions to bring into the club.

Brehon had 23 goals in 11 games for Port Vale youth which excited my scouts so we brought him to the club.

My Scouts were really excited by Barnsleys Dewhirst so we spent £275k to bring him to QPR.

Fleetwood’s Mac(Kay) was highly rated and our scouts liked him so he joins for £325k.

Welsh youngster Phillips leaves Crewe to join us.

Irish full back was snapped up from Bolton.

Finally Webb left Salford for a small fee. The scouts really liked him but our coaches don’t.

After a great first full season in charge we have sold well and recruited for the long term. Our U21s are top of their division in February, With some of these young signings looking like they could be a class of 2025 for the future.