Queens Park Rangers: Rating Mark Hughes' Summer Signings

Photo: click-sports.com

Mark Hughes has emulated Felix Magath’s habit of buying a new squad in one transfer window.

Hughes released a raft of players, one of which was 35-year-old Heiðar Helguson, who was pretty good when he played last season. 

Meanwhile, Joey Barton was loaned out to Marseille, but he won't be playing anytime soon as he serves his 12-game ban. 

This slideshow will rate each of Mark Hughes’ summer signings. The 18-year-old Sam Magri won’t be included because I’ve never seen him play. 

Fábio, Left-Back, Age 22

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Signed on loan from Manchester United | Rating: 5.5/10

Fábio hasn't made a good first impression at Loftus Road. 

He was all over the place in the 5-0 loss to Swansea City.

During the 1-1 draw to Norwich City, he showed enthusiasm as he ran up and down the flanks. 

He looked better in the 3-1 loss to Manchester City. He ensured QPR didn't concede by clearing Edin Džeko's header off the line and he put in an excellent tackle on a disappointing David Silva. However, the Brazilian's tendency to leave gaping holes behind him is still a problem. 

So, why a 5.5/10 instead of a lower rating?

It's only a loan deal, he can win back possession, he's hyperactive and there's incentive for him to perform because he's auditioning to get back into the United squad.

He's not a "no hope" like Armand Traoré, so you have to assume that Fábio will improve. 

Ryan Nelsen, Centre-Back, Age 34

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Signed from Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer | Rating: 5/10

Given Queens Park Rangers' shambolic centre-back problems, Ryan Nelsen, who should be a squad player, will feature in this QPR starting XI. 

He's a solid pro, works hard and will lead by example. 

However, father time is fast approaching and he's a liability against nippy forwards. 

Júlio César, Goalkeeper, Age 33

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Signed from Inter Milan on a free transfer | Rating: 6/10

What? Only a 6/10?

How many Inter games did you watch last season? Not many if you think this transfer deserves a higher rating. 

There's a reason why Inter signed a world-class goalkeeper in Samir Handanović and attempted to lower Júlio César's wages.

Basically, Inter pushed César out of the club. 

What's the reason? He was in decline (he's still an upgrade from Robert Green). 

Robert Green, Goalkeeper, Age 32

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Signed from West Ham United on a free transfer | Rating: 4.5/10

Robert Green suffers from David James syndrome. Great one week and utter garbage the next week. Green muffs the situation up so bad that you begin to feel sorry for him. 

He got dumped by model girlfriend Elizabeth Minett. He was crucified at the 2010 FIFA World Cup just like Peter Bonetti was 40 years earlier. Green took a risk in leaving West Ham for QPR only to find out that their defenders can't defend. Sixty days after officially becoming a QPR player, he was replaced by Júlio César after a poor start to the season. 

Sometimes being paid an inflated amount of cash to stand in front of goals isn't worth it when your psyche is dealt such savage blows. 

If Green was an optimist, he would think: "well at least I'm better than Adam Federici." 

Andy Johnson, Centre Forward, Age 31

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Signed from Fulham on a free transfer | Rating: 5.5/10

Did Queens Park Rangers only sign Andy Johnson because he put three past them last season? 

He's a handy option off the bench, but last season he was often injured and his 11.3 shots per league goal is not reliable enough.

To be fair, he did light it up in the Europa League with eight goals in 13 games. 

José Bosingwa, Right-Back, Age 30

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Signed from Chelsea on a free transfer | Rating: 1/10

José Bosingwa ranks as one of the worst defenders to ever grace the Premier League.

The only decent game he had last season was at centre-back (I know right, how weird). 

He's a lost cause at right-back with only Johan Djourou bettering him in terms of ineptitude. 

Junior Hoilett, Left Winger, Age 22

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Signed from Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer | Rating: 10/10

Junior Hoilett was statistically the most prolific dribbler in the Premier League last season. He's a deadly inside-out threat, he takes his chances in the final third and he has shown an ability to play as a deep-lying forward. 

He is someone that will make something happen. If he improves on last season, QPR could sell him at a substantial profit to a bigger club. 

Whilst QPR signed him on a Bosman, Rovers are entitled to compensation.  

Park Ji-Sung, Centre Midfielder, Age 31

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Signed from Manchester United for £2 million | Rating: 8/10

After being one of United's worst players last season, Park Ji-Sung has earned redemption by playing like the old Park for QPR. 

He's hustling to win back the ball whilst also being a creative outlet. Can he continue playing like this? He might be three-lung Park but he hasn't completed 30 league games since the 2005-06 season. 

The fact that he's the captain of the side shows how much respect management and his fellow teammates have for him. 

Just to end this slide on a happy note, it was nice to see Park embrace his former United teammate Carlos Tévez. 

Their relationship without an interpreter is basically just smiles, hugs and positive body language. 

Samba Diakité, Centre Midfielder, Age 23

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Signed from Nancy for £3.5 million | Rating: 8.5/10

Samba Diakité hasn't played with brute strength this season because of fatigue. He isn't suffering from depression as originally reported. 

Don't let a few below-par games sway your opinion on him. 

He's a physical specimen, he can barge his way past opposing defences and he's still only 23 years of age. 

When he controls his tendency to trip opposing players whilst also becoming more effective in the attacking half, he could be an elite box-to-box midfielder. 

Stéphane Mbia, Centre-Back, Age 26

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Signed from Marseille for £4.5 million | Rating: 5/10

It's a meh signing, especially when Stéphane Mbia didn't want to leave L'OM.

If Stéphane Mbia was signed as a centre-back, it's not a wise decision because he's more adept as a defensive midfielder than as a centre-back.

Carlos Zambrano looks like a solid player and Eintracht Frankfurt signed him for €1.7 million, which is about £1.4 million. 

Sebastian Langkamp was terrific for Augsburg last season. Why not sign him? 

Both aforementioned players are better centre-backs than Mbia.  

Esteban Granero, Centre Midfielder, Age 25

Signed from Real Madrid for £9 million | Rating: 10/10

Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

The last time an unheralded Premier League club punched above its weight to sign a Spanish midfielder with elite potential was West Bromwich Albion claiming Borja Valero for £4.7 million. That didn't work out. 

Unlike Valero, there's no way that someone of Esteban Granero's ability will be played out of position. 

He'll add a touch of class to Queens Park Rangers' midfield. 

 

Possible CR7 Replacements

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com

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