QPR strike gold as 'genius' Chelsea transfer pays dividends - opinion

QPR made it three wins on the bounce with a 1-0 triumph over Stoke City on Saturday afternoon and it was a new signing that proved the difference maker... well, sort of.

The R’s swooped to sign Harvey Vale from Premier League outfit Chelsea in the final hours of the January transfer window but supporters were warned not to get excited too soon, with an injury meaning the midfielder would not play for the rest of the 2024/25 campaign.

Having put in the hard yards during his rehabilitation and turned in an impressive pre-season, Vale’s presence in the QPR team this season feels like a new signing. The 22-year-old has now started the last three Championship fixtures with QPR winning all of those matches, and it’s no surprise.

Harvey Vale goal secures QPR win over Stoke City

It’s early days but the playmaker seems to have it all. Vale offers a physical presence in the engine room but has also showcased wonderful technical abilities. In his first Championship start, against Charlton Athletic, LondonWorld praised his ‘really positive’ showing as he played an important part in his side’s first goal.

Vale keeps getting better and better. Against Stoke City, his wand of a left foot caused constant problems both in picking out passes and shooting at goal. Shortly after forcing a superb save from the in-form Viktor Johansson, Vale was in the right place at the right time to curl a loose ball into the top corner and win the game.

Speaking ahead of facing the Potters, Vale reflected on his QPR journey so far when talking to Sky Sports. He said: "When they first told me, I was gutted. I felt I was taking that step out of the academy scene and finally into the men's game, finding a home, and then you get hit instantly with a setback.

"It was challenging mentally, but the staff and the boys were really good. They helped me get through it and I knew the focus was always to have a full pre-season this season. When there's a goal, it's a lot easier to work towards something. Thankfully the club went on with the deal and kept faith in me. I put my head down, worked through it and now I'm fit and ready to go."

QPR transfer risk now looking ‘genius’

Vale’s efforts have earned him the plaudits of QPR supporters with the club’s proactive move to sign the player while he was injured now looking a stroke of genius. Vale came through the Chelsea academy alongside the likes of Jamal Musiala, Levi Colwill and Tino Livramento but only ever made seven first team appearances for the Blues.

Speaking after the game, R’s boss Julien Stephan said: “Harvey is a very good player. He didn’t have the opportunity last season to play because he had the bad injury and we needed to be patient with him to give him the confidence and trust. He is a good player but he is not the only one, we have a lot of good players.

“I’m very happy for him because he deserves - it’s not only the goal, it’s a lot of effort on the pitch offensively, defensively. He’s technically a good player and I see improvement in terms of intensity too. I’m happy with that.”

In other news, 'Something Wrong': Stoke City boss criticises Loftus Road after QPR defeat.