These four players should all be considered in case the Moroccan leaves.
Ilias Chair could have left Queens Park Rangers during the January transfer window, and those clubs that were interested in him may try again once the summer market opens.
QPR managed to keep their top winger until the end of the winter transfer window. They got a bid from Birmingham City a week before the 1st February deadline, but it was rejected, according to Darren Witcoop, and the Blues chose not to respond with another offer.
Leicester City have also been interested in the winger for some time, but they never attempted to make a deal before the deadline.
QPR must prepare for the possibility that Chair would go, given the club’s current financial situation and pre-existing interest in the 26-year-old. These are four prospective successors that they should consider if he does leave.
Santiago Rodriguez
According to FBRef, Rodriguez is the world’s closest winger matchup to Chair.
In 31 games of the 2023 MLS season, the Uruguayan winger scored and assisted on five goals. According to FBRef, Rodriguez scored nearly twice as many goals as Chair from virtually one fewer shot in their most recent seasons: 0.2 goals from 1.55 shots for Rodriguez and 0.11 goals from 2.53 shots for Chair. The 24-year-old also had more shot creation activities per 90 than the Moroccan this season.
He only joined less than a year ago and has a contract with New York City FC until December 2027, so they may have to spend more of the Chair money than they would have liked to bring him to London.
Brian Gutierrez
Another MLS winger should be considered to replace Chair; this time it’s Chicago Fire’s 20-year-old winger. Like Rodriguez, Gutierrez has a very long-term deal with his club. His deal with Chicago lasts until the end of 2028, so the same problem could be encountered in terms of money required to get him.
With that being said, everything seems to suggest that he’s worth it. He’s been playing in the MLS since he was 17, and he’s starting to hit quite an early career peak. He assisted six goals and registered almost one goal creating action every two games last season. The American winger also has a better successful take-on percentage than Chair does.
He looks to be a very bright prospect that is a brilliant chance creator from open play. His finishing could do with some polishing though; Gutierrez scored two goals from an xG of 4.1 in the 2023 season.
Thelo Aasgard
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