Today's rumour: Chris Willock

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Who is Chris Willock? Rangers target with Arsene Wenger's Arsenal seal of approval offers Ryan Kent exit solution

Story by Mark Pirie • 1h ago

Who is Chris Willock? Rangers target with Arsene Wenger's Arsenal seal of approval offers Ryan Kent exit solution© PA

Rangers bosss Michael Beale is set to raid his former club QPR for forward Chris Willock as he kickstarts his summer rebuild at Ibrox.

The 25-year-old QPR star has made it clear to his boss and Loftus Road chiefs that he is keen to make the move to the Scottish Premiership to reunited with his former boss in Govan as he nears the end of his current contract. The English Championship side have an option to extend his contract by another year, but Record Sport understands Beale will be able to snap up Willock for a bargain fee this summer.

The Rangers boss faces a jam-packed summer with a host of players set to leave the club as free agents, and Willock is rapidly moving up the summer wishlist after Beale's scouting mission to watching his former side during the draw with Norwich. Kieran Dowell has also been floated as target, with the midfield engine room set for a massive overhaul at the end of the campaign.

But who is the latest name to be on the Rangers wishlist? Record Sport takes a look.

Who is Chris Willock?

The Arsenal academy graduate Willock was handed his first team shot by legendary boss Arsene Wenger and was tipped for big things as a teenager. Back in 2014 the Frenchman insisted the England youth cap was perfect for the Gunners.

Wenger said back at the time: "Technically and tactically he integrated very well. Of course it's natural that he lacks a bit of power at that age but when he gets that he will be a very interesting player."

At the time he was working under coach Neil Banfield - who is currently a part of Michael Beale's Rangers backroom team. Despite the lofty seal of approval, he would fail to make his breakthrough into the first team at the Emirates and left North London for Benfica in 2017. But, despite signing a five year deal in Lisbon, he struggled to make a top team breakthrough before returning to England two years later on loan deals with West Brom and Huddersfield.

Related video: Arsenal defender BANNED from training, insight behind Graham Potter's sacking | Chris Wheatley Show (Dailymotion)

Those performance would convince Mark Warburton to splash £750,000 to sign Willock on a permanent deal with QPR in 2020. Beale would then inherit the winger when he took charge at Loftus Road.

What has Michael Beale said about him?

It's safe to say he's a fan. During his brief stint at QPR Beale gave Willock top billing, stating: "Chris is one of the better players in the league. He has been excellent this year and scored some great goals coming back."

Beale brought the best out of Willock during his four months at the club. Willock netted six goals in nine games to fire the club top of the table, before his season was derailed by a hamstring injury.

What type of player is he?

Willock has developed into a winger who dominates the left hand side of the park, and could be seen as a replacement for Ryan Kent as the Ibrox star nears the end of his contract.

Willock appears to be one of the most technically sound players in he Championship this term. Willock is has one of the best passing accuracies in the league with over 78 per cent of his searching balls finding their teammates according to Wyscout.

The 25-year-old is among the top crossers in the division whipping in 3.59 cross on average per 90 minutes with an accuracy of 28.99 per cent. His crossing accuracy ranks among the best in the league, only being kept off top spot by Burnley's Manuel Benson - who helped the side lift the league title.

What can he offer that Ryan Kent doesn't?

While Ryan Kent's scoring record and action inside the box has been criticised this season, Willock is more than a pass-master. He has takes on average three key touches in the penalty area, which has seen him rewarded with six goals so far this term.

He is happy to take a man on - going into the second most offensive duals in the league with a 39 per cent rate of shrugging off his marker. He also boasts a 57.77 per cent success rate with his dribbles as he carries the ball forward.

Willock is far from shot shy - as he tries his luck from the edge of the box and is happy to take the ball into the area. He has an xG of 3.58 when dribbling into the attacking third, taking 43 shots after 123 dribbles this term.

 

[Malangsob 1,216]

Unless something catastrophic happens, this guy is most definitely coming to Ibrox.

 

He hits every marker.

[Frankie 8,183]

Yeah, I think this is one transfer that appears more likely than others.

 

Apparently the fee is fairly modest at less than £1m and the player is fairly highly regarded. 

[Sutton_blows_goats 4,334]

Had the obligatory injuries but a good player who has a high ceiling. Bring him home

[Rousseau 9,494]

I would've preferred his younger brother, but I reckon he's out of our price range.

[Rousseau 9,494]

I do hope we've scouted better than 'he's worked with Mick before'.

 

This is the sort of nonsense a DoF was supposed to prevent. 

[craig 5,199]

1 hour ago, Rousseau said:

I do hope we've scouted better than 'he's worked with Mick before'.

 

This is the sort of nonsense a DoF was supposed to prevent. 

Surely the best scout would be the manager... who has worked with the player already.... who knows how he wants his team to play... knows how the player plays.... and should have the best understanding of whether said player would fit ?

[Rousseau 9,494]

1 minute ago, craig said:

Surely the best scout would be the manager... who has worked with the player already.... who knows how he wants his team to play... knows how the player plays.... and should have the best understanding of whether said player would fit ?

I don't like that approach. 

 

It means we have to rebuild a team every time a manager leaves, which is not long nowadays.

 

I think we need something more long-term, like Brentford or Salzburg, for example.   

[Frankie 8,183]

2 minutes ago, Rousseau said:

I don't like that approach. 

 

It means we have to rebuild a team every time a manager leaves, which is not long nowadays.

 

I think we need something more long-term, like Brentford or Salzburg, for example.   

I think it's inevitable a manager will bring in players he knows.

 

There has to be a balance though - one or two is fine in agreement with the Sporting Director but much more then it undermines the scouting operation.

[Rousseau 9,494]

4 minutes ago, Frankie said:

I think it's inevitable a manager will bring in players he knows.

 

There has to be a balance though - one or two is fine in agreement with the Sporting Director but much more then it undermines the scouting operation.

Of course. 

 

Personally, I'd want it out the hands of the coach almost completely, but I appreciate that's an extreme view.