QPR risk losing top prospect in January – having played just 25 minutes since August: Opinion News: The72 – Football League News

QPR has a well-stocked selection and that presents head coach Julien Stephan with no shortage of selection dilemmas.

QPR have had a mixed campaign summer appointment Julien Stephan. They are in better shape than in previous seasons, but there is a slight feeling that opportunities are being missed.

As we approach the halfway point of the 2025/2026 season, the peloton remains incredibly close together. Clear play-off candidates have yet to emerge, and it opens the door for someone to grab the campaign by the scruff of the neck.

The R’s have yet to do that. They have shown some promising signs under Stephan, but it feels like the Frenchman is still looking to build his strongest starting XI now that he has an almost fully fit squad.

However, one thing has become clear: that’s it Ryan Collie is on the fringes of the first team. Given his performances so far and the obvious potential, many are surprised, and it feels like QPR is making a risky play about his future.

Rayan Kolli’s playing time is struggling at QPR

Algerian star Kolli first appeared in the QPR first-team picture at the start of the 2023/2024 season. He had a run but then disappeared until Christmas 2024, when his senior career really started to gain momentum.

He finished last season with a respectable five goals and three assists in 21 games in all competitions. And given Stephan’s track record with top prospects, some were eager to see what else he could get out of the 20-year-old.

However, we are now in December and Kolli has only made seven appearances in all competitions. He played in the first four championship games of the season but has played just 25 minutes of competitive football since August. He was not included in six of the last eight matchday squads, including against Norwich City on Saturday.

His continued negligence leads to continued questions from R’s fans. Kolli suffered injuries earlier this year and at times his minutes were limited. But now he is fit but overlooked by Hoops boss Stephan.

Clubs will take action if they think Rayan Kolli could be tempted by QPR

Kolli has looked really good for QPR on several occasions. Considering that most of his appearances came as a substitute, ten goals in 39 appearances for the club is very impressive.

QPR stats from Rayan Kolli

However, the depth of the attacking ranks has simply put him out of favour.

The Rs need to make sure they have a plan for Kolli, and he needs to be made aware of it. If his minutes don’t improve, they might be better off loaning him out for the second half of the campaign.

Without such an opportunity, it wouldn’t be surprising to see clubs consider permanent dives. Kolli had notable interest in France from Toulouse FC and Angers SCO earlier this year, and it is not out of the question that they or other clubs could fill in for him.

Losing a prospect of Kolli’s caliber would be a huge blow, so QPR must have a clear plan in place. Either he needs minutes in Stephan’s first team, or he needs the chance to prove his abilities and develop on loan.