Following QPR’s wild 3-2 loss to Liverpool Sunday morning, Rangers boss Harry Redknapp was mostly positive, calling the match the “best I’ve seen” from QPR since he was hired as manager.
However, he did mention one player needs to step things up or ponder his future with the club. That player was not in the squad for today’s match.
Attacking midfielder Adel Taarabt, who performed well on loan at AC Milan last year, has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career. However, Redknapp went off on the 25-year-old Moroccan international in his post match presser.
“He’s not fit to play football unfortunately. He played in a reserve game the other day and I could have run about more than he did. I can’t pick him.”
Uh oh. Redknapp then described Taarabt as overweight and criticized his commitment to playing as opposed to just picking up a paycheck.
I can’t keep protecting people, who don’t want to run about and train, and are about three stone overweight. What am I supposed to keep saying? Keep getting your 60, 70 grand a week and don’t train? What’s the game coming to?”
Things seem to be spiraling a bit out of control for QPR, from their on the field luck to off the field issues.
“I pick people who want to try, who deserve to be at a good football club like QPR, who come in every day and want to work, train and show a good attitude. When he starts doing that, if he ever can do it, maybe he’ll get a game.”
Taarabt’s entire career has been marred by moments like this, with motivational and effort questions surrounding his bright play on the pitch. He’s often attacked for taking matches off and falling into slumps.