Queens Park Rangers looked to have had an excellent transfer window, recruiting a number of exciting players and a manager with high pedigree. But their season has started miserably, and tensions are high after they endured a 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Coventry City at the weekend.
In an attempt to bolster the squad, Chief Executive Officer Christian Nourry has re-signed a fondly remembered player who was on loan with the R’s during the 2023/24 season.
Well-Liked Midfielder Returns To Loftus Road
The R’s have officially announced the return of midfielder Isaac Hayden, who played 17 times for the club during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, on a permanent basis, as per their official website.
Hayden was released by Newcastle United in July, thus allowing Julien Stephan’s team to sign the 30-year-old on a free transfer.
The Jamaican international’s first spell at Loftus Road started in a relatively similar fashion, as QPR were also struggling for form and floundering in the relegation zone at the beginning of 2024.
At the start of last season, Newcastle were unable to find a club that would take the Hayden on loan. He spent the first half of the campaign completely frozen out of the first team, making two appearances in the National League Cup for the Magpies’ under-21 side.
The second half of the season was much more promising as the Chelmsford-born man went out on loan to Portsmouth.
The former Arsenal academy graduate started 12 games in the Championship for John Mousinho’s side as they finished in 16th place in their first season back in the second tier.
Some of Hayden’s defensive stats last season were very impressive. He won 1.81 tackles per 90, more than 86.1% of defensive midfielders in the Championship, and he won more aerial duels per 90 than 80.3% of his peers.
Is Hayden The Final Piece Of The Puzzle For QPR?
The R’s start to the season has been very disappointing given the calibre of players they have signed over the summer.
Stephan’s side have picked up some of the best young players in League One, with Kwame Poku, Rumarn Burrell and Richard Kone all arriving in W12.
However, this has perhaps left their squad slightly lacking in terms of experience, especially because the likes of Jack Colback and Lucas Andersen left the club this summer.
Hayden has played just under 100 games in the Championship and 118 games in the Premier League. This should allow him to form a very solid partnership in midfield with Sam Field and Jonathan Varane, meaning that youngsters like Keiran Morgan and Esquerdinha are free to express themselves.
The 30-year-old also offers good versatility as he could be deployed as a centre-back or a right-back. His ability in the latter position may be particularly important as Kealey Adamson does not seem to have fully won Stephan’s trust yet.
Nourry is certainly providing Stephan with the players he needs to form a successful side in the Championship. It is now up to the Frenchman to deliver on the pitch.