Southampton loanee Ronnie Edwards made his QPR debut against Luton Town in the Championship. The centre-back played both as a defender and in the midfield, helping QPR claim a 2-1 win.
Recently, Southampton centre-back Ronnie Edwards joined Championship club QPR on loan until the end of the season. The move is already showing promise as Edwards made his debut for QPR in a huge 2-1 victory against Luton Town.
Coming as a substitute, Edwards initially played out of position as a defensive midfielder, a role that displayed his adaptability and composure. However, he later moved back to his natural centre-back position, and delivered a commanding performance that helped QPR secure the win.
Southampton loanee shines on club debut in 2-1 win
As quoted by the Daily Echo, QPR manager Marti Cifuentes praised Edwards, saying: “It’s not easy as a defender in that kind of game and we thought it would be a good introduction for him to start with some minutes in midfield. We wanted to get him into the rhythm of the game and then drop him into his more natural position. He didn't put a foot wrong.”
The timing of Edwards loan and his impressive display has raised questions about Southampton's defensive options. Recently, Poland legend Jacek Bąk urged star defender Jan Bednarek to leave the Saints, remarking that the 28-year-old could be a starting defender at a number of top European clubs.
Should Bednarek leave St Mary’s, Southampton may find themselves in a precarious position without enough depth in the defence. Ronnie Edwards's versatility could have been an asset to Southampton in such a scenario, particularly as the Saints battle to avoid Premier League relegation.
For now, the Saints will be hoping to retain Bednarek until the end of the season, as losing him could significantly reduce their already slim hopes of staying in the Premier League.