Mark Hughes’s first move in the January transfer window has seen QPR snap up Taye Taiwo on loan from AC Milan. The left-back arrives at Loftus Road until the end of the season and looks set to boost the London outfit’s quest for survival over the next few months, bringing a much-needed experience to Rangers’ defence.
Tightening up at the back is a fundamental aspect of Hughes’ approach; last season his Fulham side had the joint-fourth best defence in the league, with just 43 goals conceded, and given that QPR have already shipped 37, it’s an issue that requires immediate address.
With Taiwo having struggled to cement a first-team place for the Serie A champions since his summer move from Marseille, the loan certainly suits both parties. Teaming up with Hughes, then, clearly affords Taiwo the opportunity of regular football and a chance to kick-start his career after the disappointing San Siro experience. It’s an opportunity that the defender clearly relishes:
I’m very grateful to Mark Hughes for bringing me here. It is always nice for a player when you know the manager wants you and I will repay his faith in me. I can’t wait to play for the club. I know only hard work, good performance, dedication, and passion will connect me with the fans but I’m prepared. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead and I’m prepared to give my all to the QPR cause.
The Statistics
After a couple of campaigns as a teenager in his homeland, Taiwo made his name at Marseille, signing for the French side as a twenty year old back in 2004-05. Over seven seasons for the Ligue 1 giants, he made 192 league appearances, scoring 17 goals and providing 16 assists- clearly he offers a lot more than your average full-back.
Last term was his most successful at club level; Taiwo returned 4 goals and 6 assists in twenty-nine starts as Didier Deschamps’ side finished second behind Lille in the chase for the title. A Bosman move to Milan has proved a major letdown, though. Taiwo made just 4 league appearances in his debut season for Massimo Allegri’s side, falling behind both Luca Antonini and Gianluca Zambrotta in the pecking order for the left-back role.
Taiwo offers plenty of top-class experience, too, having played more than 50 times in all European competitions, and has represented his country on 48 occasions, finding the net 5 times.
The Prospects
The move certainly seems to spell bad news for both Armand Traore and Clint Hill. Having started twelve and nine times respectively at left-back, the pair look set to take a back seat in light of Taiwo’s arrival. Hughes was clearly delighted to acquire the Nigerian’s services and, from his glowing assessment of the player, it’s obvious that Taiwo looks set to be an integral part of QPR’s first XI from now until May:
I have known of him for a long time and admired him from afar. To get him now is a fantastic coup and a real statement of intent that we can attract the quality of player that he is. I am looking forward to working with him.
Backed by the cash of club owner Tony Fernandes, Hughes has wasted little time in strengthening his defence further; Nedum Onouha has completed a moved from Man City earlier today, as the new manager continues to restructure his back line. With a few days left of the transfer window, there’s still plenty time to wheel and deal and bring a couple more faces to Loftus Road.
So far, Hughes has got off to a decent start; a narrow defeat at Newcastle was followed by a 3-1 home win over Wigan last weekend, as he picked up three points in his first game at Loftus Road. Given QPR had chalked up one victory in front of their own fans under Neil Warnock – a 1-0 triumph over nine-man Chelsea- the omens look good and suggest their Fantasy assets could be set for reassessment in light of the new manager’s arrival.
Renowned for his set-piece ability and shooting from distance (check out the YouTube link below), Taiwo will offer plenty threat going forward, in addition to strengthening the back-four. He’s still not available in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) but a starting price of around 4.5 to 5.0 looks likely- Clint Hill came in at 4.5 and was the costliest QPR defender prior to the start of the season.
With a favourable run of fixtures on the horizon (avl, WOL, bla, FUL, EVE, bol), the London outfit have the strongest schedule of any team over the next six gameweeks. As Hughes looks to engineer a climb away from the drop zone, his new left-back looks to have the perfect opportunity to make an instant impact in his new surroundings.
12 years, 3 months agoPoor man's Kolarov.