QPR should look to loan market to kick-start 2022 arrival's Loftus Road career or raise his value: View | OneFootball

QPR midfielder Taylor Richards struggled for minutes last season and could benefit from a loan move away in order to kick-start his Loftus Road career.

Richards initially joined QPR on loan in 2022, making 15 appearances and earning himself a permanent move to West London.

The 23-year-old has failed to kick on, though, and played just 54 minutes in the league last season.

The midfielder was highly rated, having come through the academies at both Manchester City and Brighton, but he needs consistent game time if he's to salvage his QPR career.

Richards made just three appearances under manager Marti Cifuentes and wasn't selected in the matchday squad for the final 21 games of the season.

It's clear Cifuentes has yet to be impressed by the midfielder and whilst a loan move could resurrect his QPR career, it could also be the first step towards a permanent move away.

Richards struggled with a calf injury towards the end of last season, but even that fails to explain why he's made just one start for the R's since his move from Brighton.

After two years and limited minutes, Richards has yet to show any signs of progression, and it feels as though a change of environment could be what he needs to find form and fitness again.

Injuries have stunted Richards' progress

Richards arrived at QPR with a lot of promise after spending his youth career at two of the most revered academies in the country.

Bu he has never got going in a QPR shirt and injuries have curtailed any momentum he's threatened to build during his two years at the club.

With the futures of Ilias Chair and Chris Willock still up in the air, there was an opportunity for Richards to provide a succession plan in midfield. Instead, at 23, he is still yet to find consistent senior minutes and is fast approaching the age where players begin to realise their potential.

Richards needs to rediscover that confidence and perhaps a move down the football league could provide him with the platform to express himself.

QPR have been in turmoil ever since Richards arrived and this isn't a healthy environment for young players to grow. With less pressure on his performances, Richards could finally flourish with the right loan move.

Finding the right club, though, will be difficult and the R's will have to do their due diligence if they want to make this move work for them and Richards.

Richards has endured struggles on and off the pitch

As well as struggling to assert himself on the pitch, Richards has struggled behind closed doors as well.

Battling with personal grief as well as the mental toll of recurrent injuries, Hammersmith-born Richards seems to have struggled to adapt to life back home in West London.

A clean break may serve the midfielder well, allowing him to take a step back and regain his focus.

It's been a difficult few years for Richards, and it feels as though he needs to make the move away from QPR, whether permanently or on loan, to get things back on track.

There is clearly talent there – his 11-goal, five-assist season on loan at Doncaster Rovers proved that – and some regular minutes elsewhere may be just what he needs to rejuvenate his Loftus Road career while it could also serve to raise his value if the W12 outfit are considering a sale.