Exclusive: QPR sent clear Charlie Kelman demand amid Leyton Orient exploits.

When striker Charlie Kelman returns from his loan stint at Leyton Orient this summer, pundit Lee Hendrie thinks Queens Park Rangers need to stick onto him.

In nearly five years, Kelman has only made 26 appearances for QPR after joining from Southend United in October 2020. He has also spent a large portion of his career at Loftus Road on loan with teams like Gillingham, Wigan Athletic, and Orient.

Although the 23-year-old is well-liked at the club, few could have guessed how well he would perform after returning in the summer. His first tenure at Brisbane Road was during the 2022–2023 season, when he scored seven goals in 47 appearances to help the O’s win the League Two title.

Following an incredible season, Kelman finished as League One’s top scorer, surpassing players like Jay Stansfield, Richard Kone, and Matt Godden. His excellent play has continued in the playoffs, as the striker scored twice in last weekend’s semi-final first leg against Stockport County.

Kelman and his teammates are getting ready to play Charlton Athletic in the final at Wembley next Sunday after defeating the Hatters in the second leg on Wednesday night via penalty shootout, but there are still concerns about his long-term prospects after the summer.

Lee Hendrie renders a decision regarding Charlie Kelman’s future in QPR.

Hendrie stated in an exclusive interview with Football League World that Kelman should be kept by QPR this summer and that the R’s should assemble their squad around him for the upcoming campaign following his productive stint at Leyton Orient.

“With Charlie Kelman, I’ve watched the two play-off legs and what he’s done this season has been quite remarkable,” Hendrie stated.

“I believe that his going out on loan will boost his confidence since he has played for a team that is likely to set up quite similarly to QPR’s.

“There is no question that they must retain him and bring him back.

“I just believe that he has given Leyton Orient incredible results this season.

Since he’s still relatively young and has demonstrated what he can do when played to his abilities, as Leyton Orient has done this season, I do believe it’s important that they maintain him and try to work around him.

“I’d certainly be looking to get him back and build round him because I think that’s an area they have really struggled with, having an out-and-out centre-forward that can play week in week out, but he can do that.”

Charlie Kelman’s choice for QPR is obvious given Leyton Orient’s success.

It is unclear how QPR will line up for the upcoming season given that the management post is now up in the air with Marti Cifuentes’ placement on gardening leave, but whoever is in control at Loftus Road will undoubtedly make Kelman a key component of their plans.

Kelman had never scored more than seven goals in a single season before this one, but he has undergone an amazing metamorphosis during his second stint at Leyton Orient, and as Hendrie states, he will return to his parent club in the summer with renewed faith and confidence.

Although there is no assurance that Kelman can perform at the Championship level, he deserves the chance to prove himself, and the fact that the R’s signed him to a new deal prior to his loan move to Wigan in January of last year shows that they view him as a key player for the future.

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