As Chris Willock’s current contract at Loftus Road approaches its expiration, Queens Park Rangers manager Marti Cifuentes has made his position known.

The time of year when teams reveal their rosters—those they have retained and released—and present their plans for the upcoming football season will arrive soon enough.

But first, decisions need to be made regarding the futures of every team in the EFL. Some are already confirmed, some aren’t quite so certain, and some are fairly certain but not assured; QPR is one of those teams.

The R’s and Preston North End squared off at Loftus Road, and the home team needed to win to feel a little more assured about their league standing.

After a hard-fought victory over the Lilywhites, they finished the weekend four points ahead of the drop zone, having started the game one point above it.

With two games remaining, they have 50 points for the season and should barely escape relegation to League One once more.

Lyndon Dykes had a fantastic chance to score after Lilywhites goalkeeper Freddie Woodman made a mistake, and he took it. After that, they had the majority of the game under control and were able to keep Preston to a mere few shots on goal the entire time.

Although it wasn’t a classic by any means, the three points were crucial for the Hoops.

Despite his dropped cross that found Dykes’ path for the goal, Chris Willock was unable to register a point or create a scoring opportunity for one of his teammates.

However, after the game, the player’s manager praised him for his efforts off the ball as well. Cifuentes has stated what he hopes to happen with the 26-year-old in the summer. The man is currently scheduled to leave Loftus Road after four years with the club.

Marti Cifuentes on the status of Chris Willock’s QPR contract

The head coach of QPR, who is Spanish, expressed his hope that Willock will sign a new contract with the R’s in the summer and said he thought Willock gave a performance on Saturday that suggested he wanted to stay with the team.

According to Cifuentes, via London News Online: “I believe he is aware of our admiration for him, and he is aware of our rating of him.”

But I’m not sure what will occur in the future. Undoubtedly, he demonstrated today his love for this club and his desire to play here and support us.”

The 41-year-old also disclosed a tactical change that they made on Saturday that involved the former graduate of the Arsenal academy.”Against teams that play a wing-back system with three at the back [like Preston], we have been doing it in different ways – not only depending on formation, but the way they play,” Cifuentes stated.

We performed well in retrieving the second balls, making transitions and getting high on the pitch simple. It functioned well, and it performs even better with quality players.

“Good players like to play close to one another when they are together. Chrissy played a great game. Although Lucas [Andersen] was extremely close in a few of his actions, I believe he is demonstrating his excellent playing. Additionally, Illy [Chair] is crucial to us.”

For QPR, keeping Chris Willock could be a difficult task

For the Rangers, Cifuentes has been a very promising addition. They were rapidly sinking under Gareth Ainsworth, but the Spaniard has managed to bring them back above water.

Fans and players alike find it exciting that he will be leading the team, but the 26-year-old may be looking for a new challenge.

Although he has been a consistent contributor to the R’s over the past few seasons, they have spent the last two seasons fighting for relegation despite his and others’ strong play.

Willock’s standard players will want to keep going and challenge themselves to the limit. It may be difficult to persuade him to sign a new contract if he believes QPR cannot help him get there.

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