Exclusive: Sky pundit issues Charlie Kelman warning to QPR - It "really baffles me" | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has told FLW his verdict on QPR's agreement with Charlton Athletic for Charlie Kelman

Lee Hendrie believes that QPR should have given Charlie Kelman a chance to compete in the side this season instead of selling him to Charlton Athletic.

It was reported by Fabrizio Romano that the Addicks have agreed a deal worth an initial £3.5 million, rising to £5 million in add-ons.

The forward spent last season on loan with Leyton Orient in League One, where he scored 21 goals from 46 regular league appearances.

Kelman was entering the final year of his QPR contract prior to his move away from Loftus Road, joining Nathan Jones’ side ahead of their return to the Championship.

Lee Hendrie makes Charlie Kelman transfer claim

Hendrie has claimed that a fee worth a total of £5 million is good business for QPR after his impressive campaign with the O’s.

However, he believes that QPR should have looked to keep him instead regardless because he could’ve been worth a lot more to the team if he had fulfilled the potential he showed last year.

“I’ve said this about Charlie Kelman, I just think after the season he had last season, you’d be thinking why on earth wouldn’t QPR be thinking let’s get him in the team, let’s give him a chance, let’s give him game time where he could cause teams problems,” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

“That doesn’t look like it’s going to be the case, the fact that he could be really key for them this season.

“But if they can get £5 million off Charlton, you do feel have they struck a good deal with it? Could be, potentially.

“But, I think, again, when a player has a season like he had, you’d think he’d be given half a chance to establish himself in that QPR side, which really baffles me because the potential striker there could prove his weight in gold.

“But, £5 million just now would be a fantastic fee for him, no doubt, but I’d be looking to keep hold of him.”

QPR will begin their upcoming campaign on 9 August with a clash at home against Preston North End.

Kelman deal too good to turn down

Given Kelman was entering the final year of his QPR contract, cashing in at £3.5 million, rising to £5 million makes sense.

While there’s no doubt that he played superbly in League One last year, it’s also not guaranteed he’ll be able to replicate that in the Championship.

Given the offer that was on the table, it made sense for the London outfit to cash in, especially as they were risking losing him for nothing.

But he could yet prove a very smart signing for Charlton if he can hit the ground running in the second tier, which may have QPR reconsidering their decision.