Exclusive: Don Goodman urges QPR to take Charlie Kelman transfer stance as West Brom lurk | OneFootball

Don Goodman believes QPR must give Charlie Kelman a shot under the club’s new boss

Queen’s Park Rangers striker Charlie Kelman has been linked with a move to fellow Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion - but Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes that new Hoops boss Julien Stephan should consider giving the American forward a chance.

West Brom's interest was claimed by journalist Darren Witcoop, who confirmed that the Baggies were “among the clubs” keen on the striker.

He spent last season on loan with League One Leyton Orient, where he netted 21 goals in 46 appearances, plus two in three play-off outings.

Don Goodman issues Charlie Kelman, QPR claim as West Brom lurk

FLW asked former striker turned Sky sports pundit Don Goodman whether Kelman is a player new QPR boss Julien Stephan should be looking to keep hold of.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Goodman said: “So, Charlie Kelman had a phenomenal season for Leyton Orient on loan last season.

“Obviously, 21 goals during the regular season in the league is exceptional, so I'm not surprised that he's being linked with other clubs.

“You would suspect that the new Queens Park Rangers boss will want to have a close look at him over the next few weeks and assess whether he has the ability to lead the line in the Championship.

“I can also understand why West Bromwich Albion would be sniffing around because they have struggled with a number nine.

“They must have thought they'd cracked it at the start of the first half of last season with Josh Maja, and he unfortunately got injured. Daryl Dike has had his injury issues.

“So, it's been quite a while since West Brom have had a reliable number nine that's maybe got 20 goals, so I'm not surprised that they're sniffing.

“But I'd be very surprised if Julien Stephan doesn't have a real good look at Charlie Kelman before deciding whether or not he'd be happy for him to leave.”

QPR must give Charlie Kelman a shot ahead of 2025-26 Championship season

QPR have unfortunately not been strangers to a scoring crisis themselves recently, with Michael Frey their top scorer last season on eight goals.

The west London club netted 53 goals last season, which is only two more than relegated Plymouth Argyle managed.

Were it not for Kelman, they would be entering this window in need of goals.

It’s not uncommon to begin such a search by looking at who’s been tearing it up in the lower leagues. If they followed this method, likely the first name they’d come across is the top scorer in League One: that was Charlie Kelman.

Were he not already a QPR player, the club would surely be testing the waters to see if they could land him, so it seems unimaginable that they wouldn’t give him a go, given he’s already in the club and won’t cost any additional money.

Clubs like West Brom are bound to show an interest, but if Stephan can give Kelman assurances that he will get chance to prove himself this summer, then he should have little motivation to move on.

Kelman has earned his chance to have a go at being the main man at Loftus Road, and has proved he knows where the net is.

If they sell him, especially to a division rival, it has all the hallmarks of being a decision to regret a few years down the line.