QPR’s hidden gem is ready to explode in the Championship next season after 23-goal haul in League One loan spell

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QPR have been hit-and-miss this season, to say the least, but they can improve dramatically in 2025/26 without spending a single penny.

Under Marti Cifuentes this year, QPR have pulled off some decent results, and despite a slow start, they look like they’ll land around the lower end of midtable.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
13	Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday	41	14	11	16	56	63	-7	53
14	PrestonPreston	41	10	19	12	42	49	-7	49
15	SwanseaSwansea	40	13	9	18	41	51	-10	48
16	QPRQPR	40	11	13	16	45	53	-8	46
17	PortsmouthPortsmouth	40	12	9	19	48	63	-15	45
18	Oxford UnitedOxford United	40	11	12	17	41	57	-16	45

Still, they’ve not won since February 14th, when they demolished Derby 4-0, and it’ll be a close call come the end of the season as QPR look over their shoulders at the Championship relegation battle.

However, next season should be a lot more positive, as QPR have a secret weapon who’s been developing nicely in League One this year.

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Charlie Kelman can take Championship by storm next season with QPR

It’s been a blistering season for Charlie Kelman on loan at Leyton Orient, with the 23-year-old taking his tally to 23 goals in all competitions after a crucial brace last night in the 3-2 win over Mansfield Town, with one an absolute stunner.

That includes 19 goals in League One, which makes him the top scorer in the division ahead of the prolific Richard Kone, who’s wanted by Norwich, and the £15m man Jay Stansfield at Birmingham.

His goals have kept Leyton Orient in with an outside shot of the play-offs this season, and while those hopes may be fading, Kelman has done his reputation the world of good, and must surely have got Cifuentes licking his lips ahead of next season.

Considering QPR’s top scorers this season are Michael Frey with seven goals, and highly-rated defender Jimmy Dunne with five, if Kelman can even hit half as many as he has this season when he jumps to the Championship, he will give his team a huge boost.

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Charlie Kelman has improved dramatically in the last two years

This is no flash in the pan for Kelman, though. This is the product of years of hard work in improving the areas of his game he struggled with in the past.

Kelman was on loan at Leyton Orient back in the 2022/23 campaign, but he only managed seven goals that time around. Still, he did enough off the ball to impress Richie Wellens, who appreciated his work rate in the press.

He then had a poor loan spell at Wigan last year, with just three goals across 14 appearances. But, Kelman has transformed himself this season, retaining all those elements Wellens loved two years ago, but adding a more clinical edge to his game.

Leyton Orient would naturally love to keep him beyond this season, but after his impressive displays, there’s no chance QPR are going to let Kelman go.