Queens Park Rangers (QPR) under the management of Marti Cifuentes have undergone a significant transformation, giving them a solid chance of maintaining their position in the Championship. Cifuentes, known for his coaching success in Scandinavia with Sandefjord, Aalborg, and Hammarby, was initially perceived as a risky appointment due to his lack of experience in the UK. However, his impact has proven to be inspired, simplifying the team’s approach and creating a system that maximizes the contributions of key players like Ilias Chair and Chris Willock.
While the recent revival has demonstrated the quality within the current squad, Cifuentes recognizes the need for strategic reinforcements in January to solidify QPR’s position and avoid relegation to League One. Rather than a complete squad overhaul, the focus is on adding quality in specific areas of the team that may be lacking.
One area identified for improvement is the center-back position, and Scott McKenna of Nottingham Forest emerges as a potential target for QPR. Although McKenna had previously been on QPR’s radar, he opted for a move to the City Ground from Aberdeen, a decision that proved fruitful as Forest secured promotion to the Premier League. However, the current situation is different, with McKenna finding himself frozen out at Forest, making a January move likely.
Securing McKenna’s services won’t be an easy task due to his reliability as a defender, physical strength, and ability to play out from the back with his left foot. Nevertheless, under Cifuentes, QPR has become a more attractive destination for players, potentially giving them an edge over competitors by guaranteeing McKenna regular first-team football. As McKenna eyes a spot in Scotland’s squad for Euro 2024, the prospect of being an influential figure at QPR could be enticing.
A potential obstacle is McKenna’s contract, set to expire in the summer. While he may consider waiting until he becomes a free agent to evaluate offers, QPR could explore a loan move as a viable short-term solution. A six-month stint working with Cifuentes might convince McKenna to extend his stay beyond the initial loan period.
Despite QPR’s likely reluctance to make significant transfer expenditures in January, they remain competitive with wages, making McKenna a realistic target. Cifuentes, after a promising start with QPR, aims to continue strengthening the squad in January, and McKenna emerges as a suitable candidate to address defensive deficiencies and elevate the team’s overall performance.
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