"Positive news” - Pundit reacts to latest QPR, Chris Willock development | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer believes that keeping Chris Willock will prove to be a shrewd bit of business by QPR after it was revealed that he looks set to stay.

Highlights

Carlton Palmer believes that QPR are right to do all they can to secure Chris Willock on a new contract amid suggestions the winger could stay at Loftus Road.

The 26-year-old joined the R’s in the summer of 2020, agreeing a three-year deal which included an option to extend by a further 12 months, which was activated last year.

With no fresh terms finalised since, that means Willock is techincally now a free agent, and it has been suggested previously that Sunderland and Norwich City were keeping tabs on the player.

Chris Willock in line to sign new QPR deal

However, Willock had been a key player under Marti Cifuentes since his appointment, so QPR were always hopeful that he would agree to stay.

And, whilst there’s still work to do before he puts pen to paper on a longer deal, it was revealed in the week that the ex-Benfica man had held productive talks with the Londoners as he looks to extend his stay in the capital.

It was claimed by The Athletic that staying with the R’s are the ‘preferred option’ for the player, so there is an expectation that an agreement will be reached.

Carlton Palmer reacts to Chris Willock update at QPR

Willock has featured regularly for QPR since his arrival, and that includes making 39 appearances last season as they completed an impressive escape under the guidance of Cifuentes.

Therefore, keeping Willock would be seen as a shrewd bit of business by the club in the eyes of the majority, and Palmer falls into that category.

That’s after the former England international explained to FLW that the club should look to get this sorted quickly, as he heaped praise on Cifuentes for helping Willock get back to his best.

He said: “His form was revitalised under Cifuentes. Since he has been at QPR he’s notched 20 goals and recorded 22 assists in 144 games for the club, becoming a very influential player.

“His levels dropped a bit under Gareth Ainsworth, and that was probably because of where he was played, but with Cifuentes and the system, they’re getting much more out of him.

“This is positive news for QPR ahead of the new season, and they will be hoping to get this signed and sealed as soon as possible.”

QPR’s summer transfer plans

It’s an exciting time to be a QPR fan, as Cifuentes has transformed the club since his appointment, when relegation to League One looked like a strong possibility.

Instead, he managed to keep the side in the second tier, and he has improved so many individuals at the club.

Now, they are a side on the up, and, as outlined by Palmer, Willock is one of those who flourished under the guidance of Cifuentes, so it makes sense that he wants to stay.

Losing him on a free would’ve been a bitter blow, so if they can convince the player that his long-term future is at QPR, it will be a boost from a football perspective and a financial one, as they won’t need to go out to spend to replace him.

There’s still work to be done by the club in the market, and some departures are inevitable, but QPR appear to have a promising project in place under Cifuentes, and it will be intriguing to see what business they get done.