Crystal Palace-linked winger told to stay at QPR for another season

BY NICK KITUNO

Mark Warburton thinks Bright Osayi-Samuel would benefit from another season with Queens Park Rangers and believes he is “destined” for the Premier League.

The winger, whose contract expires in the summer, has been heavily linked with moves away from the club. He was once reported to be catching the interest of top-flight side Crystal Palace, who his former team-mate Ebere Eze joined in the summer.

Although Osayi-Samuel is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal with the R’s, Warburton says he is enjoying his football in west London.

Asked if the talisman wants to stay, Warburton said: “I say to the players: ‘Enjoy being good’. If you’re a bookie, and you enjoy going to work, you have a better end product. If you’re a cab driver, you enjoy going to work, you have a better end product. I think he’s enjoying being a very good player, simple as that.

“I said to him at the start of the season he will benefit from another season at QPR and then I think he’s destined for the Premier League. Hopefully with QPR, but I think he’s destined for the Premier League.

“He needs to keep developing, keep learning the game, and I think games like tonight, although frustrating for everyone, us and the supporters of course, I think you’re seeing him developing and learning.”

Warburton added: “He’s developing as a player at QPR, and I think he’s enjoying his football at QPR, so I hope very much that will continue.”

PHOTO: SEAN GOSLING