"I’m surprised" - QPR questioned over failure to sanction summer exit for midfielder | OneFootball

Our QPR fan pundit struggles to see how Elijah Dixon-Bonner will play with the club's strength in depth in midfield

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Elijah Dixon-Bonner is yet to make the desired impact at Loftus Road since making the move to QPR from Liverpool in the summer of 2022, and it's perhaps a surprise that he remains at the club following the transfer window.

The central midfielder has played just 29 games in total since moving to West London two years ago, and he looks set to struggle for regular minutes in Marti Cifuentes' side following the arrivals of Nicolas Madsen and Jonathan Varane earlier this summer.

At 23, Dixon-Bonner is at the age where he needs to play regular football, and perhaps it's a surprise that the Hoops didn't decide to loan him out to enable him to play regular football, with the midfielder having played just 32 games of senior football in total during his time at Liverpool and QPR.

QPR fan pundit surprised that Elijah Dixon-Bonner hasn't been loaned out

When asked if there was a player that he was surprised remained at Loftus Road after the transfer window, our QPR fan pundit, Louis Moir, said that he was surprised that Dixon-Bonner hadn't been loaned out, and has tipped the 23-year-old to struggle for regular minutes.

Speaking to Football League World, Louis said: "I’m sort of surprised that Elijah Dixon-Bonner didn’t leave the club on loan.

“There were rumours that he was going and considering we signed Nicolas Madsen, Jonathan Varane, and we’ve still got Field and Colback, he’s going to find it tough to get in the side.

“He’s featured in the cup a few times, but apart from that, I can’t even see him making many substitute appearances. With the signing of Nicolas Madsen, I could see him playing in a more attacking ten role, but he can also be a number eight and a number six, and with him coming in as well as Varane coming in, we’re looking good in midfield.

“I am surprised that Dixon-Bonner didn’t leave the club on loan. Maybe there’s still something that could be done as he could still leave on loan and clubs could still sign loanees even though the window is shut.

“I’m surprised nothing materialised with him, particularly towards deadline day."

Elijah Dixon-Bonner needs to be playing regular football

Dixon-Bonner is 23 but has barely played any senior football, so it's crucial that he gets out and plays regularly, regardless of the level.

Sitting on the bench for QPR and barely playing will stunt his development, and he runs the risk of failing to live up to his potential if he continues to struggle for minutes.

Dixon-Bonner was highly-rated by Liverpool, making three appearances for the Reds under Jürgen Klopp in cup competitions, but he's struggled for a regular run of games at Loftus Road, and it looks like it'll be a similar story this season.

The 23-year-old has been an unused substitute in all four of QPR's league games, and in hindsight, perhaps a loan to a League One club would have been the best option for the player this summer.