Queens Park Rangers central defender Jake Clarke-Salter has admitted that he is “happy now” at Loftus Road despite reports linking him with a move away from the Championship outfit.
The West London club had a dramatic turnaround in fortunes in the second half of the season. Having been inside the relegation zone by six points when Marti Cifuentes replaced Gareth Ainsworth in the dugout, QPR ended the campaign six points above the bottom three.
A key player in this drastically improved form was Clarke-Salter. The Chelsea academy product did not feature at the beginning of the season for the Hoops due to injury and played merely three full 90-minute games before Ainsworth was relieved of his duties in October.
Nevertheless, the 26-year-old went on to form a monstrous defensive partnership at the back with the experienced Steve Cook. Clarke-Salter made 33 appearances this season for Queens Park Rangers – 26 came under the Spanish coach.
As a result of his impressive days at Loftus Road, Clarke-Salter has been linked with a move away from QPR, with newly-promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town and Scottish champions Celtic said to be among the suitors.
Furthermore, John Percy of The Telegraph has claimed that Stoke City are one of the many admirers of the centre-back while reporting that QPR will hold out for a hefty sum of between £5-7 million for their prized asset.
Stoke City transfer news – QPR defender Jake Clarke-Salter is a top summer target. Price likely to be £5-7m and other clubs (including in PL) potentially interested. Stoke looking to strengthen in a number of areas this summer #scfc
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) May 7, 2024
However, speaking in a recent interview, Clarke-Salter admitted he’s happy at Queens Park Rangers and is “just looking forward to the future” despite uncertainty surrounding his status next season [quotes via Football League World]:
“If I’m being totally honest with myself, I had a lot of ambition growing up at Chelsea – captaining Chelsea and England youth sides – and I had some injuries along the way that have hindered my career so to have a home now.
“To be able to stay fit this season, which I always knew would come around again.
“I’m confident now that I can put those injuries behind me and I’m just happy now at QPR.
“I have a home, I had a good season in the end and I’m just looking forward to the future.”
Writer’s View
When Clarke-Salter emerged from the Cobham academy eight years ago to make his debut for Chelsea, there were high hopes for his career. Former Blues skipper John Terry even admitted that “he reminds me a bit of myself”.
While he may not have reached the heights he believed he could – injuries certainly haven’t helped – there is still plenty of time left in Clarke-Salter’s career and it would be surprising if he remained at Queens Park Rangers past this summer.
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