QPR given 'forgotten' Chelsea transfer gift by Marti Cifuentes - opinion

QPR put five goals past League One outfit Stevenage in promising pre-season action over the weekend with one player in particular catching the eye.

The R’s fielded a different side in each half and ran out convincing winners thanks to a hat-trick from Kader Dembele alongside goals from Ilias Chair, Taylor Richards and Harvey Vale. It was a first appearance for QPR for the latter, who signed for the club from Chelsea in February.

Kwame Poku, Amadou Mbengue and Kealey Adamson all enjoyed their first run outs since arriving in the summer too, but it was Vale who appeared to be particularly influential in midfield.

Harvey Vale impresses for QPR

The 21-year-old has become somewhat of a forgotten man at Loftus Road. Having signed in the winter, the midfielder has been unable to play for the team last season due to injury. He’s set to begin the 2025/25 season fully fit and will feel like another new signing for QPR.

In his minutes against Stevenage, Vale set up Poku for a goal that was then disallowed for offside before hitting the back of the net himself. The former Chelsea man latched onto a loose ball in midfield and drove forward before bending one into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Speaking to the club media channel at full time, Vale said: “It’s been a long time waiting but I’ve worked hard over the summer and in rehab, I’m really happy to get that first experience. It wasn’t nice with my injury, it was rest and letting it heal which was tough, even watching through the windows in the gym. They’ve been really good with me and helped me settle in quick.

“It was nice to get a goal in my first appearance. I can’t ask for much more. Glad we got the win and a goal to top it off is good. The way he sees football and wants to play is very similar to what I see and what I’ve learned growing up as well. It’s really good, you can even see the little things we were trying to implement today. Hopefully we keep building on that.”

Former Chelsea man set for important Loftus Road role

It sounds as if Vale could be set to play a key role in Stephan’s work at QPR this season. Should that be the case, the new R’s head coach should be thanking his predecessor.

Cifuentes and QPR took a punt on signing an injured player in January with still plenty to play for in the Championship season, but it looks to have been a clever move. The former Hull City and Bristol Rovers loanee spent nine years on the books at Chelsea and still has his best years ahead of him.

The club claimed that they had ‘beat a lot of interest’ when signing Vale, who can play across the midfield, in February. At the time, CEO Christian Nourry said: “We are delighted that Harvey has chosen to make the next step in his career at Queens Park Rangers. His engine, high technical quality and vision, as well as his leadership qualities, make him an exciting signing for the football club."

In other news, Premier League club hijack QPR 'approach' for player who just became free agent.