Loic Remy to QPR: What can the Frenchman give to the Hoops?

In one of this transfer window’s most bizarre and drawn out sagas, Loic Remy finally chose to join QPR after it appeared that he would be joining Newcastle.

Many analysts and past players, such as Newcastle and England legend Alan Shearer have criticised the player of being greedy and motivated only by money, but Remy is a QPR player now and what nearly happened should not be dwelled on. Let’s see what Remy can offer.

With respect to Newcastle and QPR, I am a tad surprised that no bigger clubs joined the race to buy him. Remy’s impressive performances in the Champions League in both 2010-11 and 2011-12 twinned with his excellent goal scoring figure of 20 in 42 games last season in one of Europe’s most respected leagues made me consider him a potentially ideal signing for perhaps Arsenal, Liverpool and even my own side Chelsea.

For those who have never seen Remy in action, he is a tricky, skillful player with great movement. QPR, in a sense, already have that with Andrew Johnson, although with Johnson aged 31 now and out of favour, I do not anticipate seeing him challenge Remy for the role of leading QPR’s attack.

My only slight concern for Remy is the fact he often appears at his most threatening when stretching defences, but that could be somewhat of a problem on Loftus Road’s tight pitch. In saying that, Remy is highly position-savvy and when he is in an around the box, he always poses a threat.

Another element of Remy’s well developed game that QPR could greatly benefit from is the Frenchman’s ability to create chances out of nothing; he is much like Luis Suarez in that sense.

During his time at Marseille, he was often found on the end of hopeful balls up to the lone striker with support from the Ayew brothers Andre and Jordan. Remy’s ability to switch positions between winger and centre forward almost effortlessly makes him one of Europe’s most difficult players for defenders to track. Such qualities make Remy an ideal player for QPR whose attacking play has been far too slow at times this season.

The signing of Remy for a club record fee of £8 million coincides with the expected departure of Djibril Cisse to Alain Perrin’s Al Gharafa side in Qatar. Many, including QPR’s fans, have been highly critical of Cisse’s apparent lack of effort and devotion to the cause of the relegation threatened side.

It appears Tony Fernandes and QPR boss Harry Redknapp have given up on Cisse and will instead focus on the more determined and energetic Remy meaning Adel Taarabt, Jamie Mackie, Junior Hoilett, Shaun Wright-Phillips and the rest of QPR’s more creative players will be able to look for more of a runner than a fox in the box type of striker. As this old method was not working, I believe QPR have made a positive decision in signing the Marseille forward.

Despite being one of the Premier League’s weakest, if not the weakest of the table, is anything to go by, QPR have flexed their financial muscle by taking Remy off Newcastle’s hands, which is enough of a statement in its own right.

Having one of Europe’s most exciting strikers and possibly one of Europe’s brightest albeit controversial young defensive midfielders Yann M’Villa joining their ranks soon, QPR have the sort of squad which should not be anywhere near the relegation zone.

Plus with Harry Redknapp getting the Hoops more solid defensively and more dangerous on the counter attack (see the 1-0 win away to Chelsea a couple of weeks ago), suddenly things look slightly less bleak for the London club.