Adel Taarabt's New Deal Marks a Changing of the Tide at QPR, Big Things May Just Be Around the Corner

Adel Taarabt: "This is my club. I feel at home"

Barely a year has passed since Adel Taarabt was being linked with a big money move to the super-rich French club, Paris St Germain.

Following Queen's Park Rangers' promotion to the Premier League, it seemed almost certain that the Moroccan international would be leaving.

Yet this week he has committed his future to the West London club by signing a new long-term contract.

Naturally, the more cynical football fans will say he has been tempted to stay because of the money; Rangers now backed by Air Asia tycoon, Tony Fernandes.

Indeed, in modern football, it is not something you can rule out all together – and besides, it probably was a factor, even if it was not the main reason for Taarabt staying.

“This is my club and it's given me the opportunity to show what I can do and trusted me,” Taarabt said, in the sort of PR fuelled manner that is sure to get the doubters on his side. “I feel at home here.

“Now I can focus on my future. I want to take the club as far as I can.”

And he's probably not the only one thinking that way at Queen's Park Rangers now. This is a new era – the sort that their fans could not possibly have dreamed of four or five seasons ago.

"These are exciting times, and my goodness, there hardly seems a more worthy group of people than the QPR fans."

For years they looked on as the poor relations of West London football, as just across the tracks Chelsea were glorying in title after title thanks to big Russian money, and Fulham were defying the odds en route to the UEFA Cup final under Roy Hodgson.

How quickly things can change.

Many were quick to criticise Fernandes for the sacking of Neil Warnock last season, with some arguing that his highly public image might even mean he was interfering with team selection and the likes.

But perhaps his decision has been proven justified. Warnock was unable to land another Premier League position, and in Mark Hughes they appointed an extremely gifted manager with an awful lot to give.

QPR managed to avoid relegation at the end of last season, and this summer has been one of rebuilding, with big names arriving at the club.

The arrival of Park Ji-Sung from Manchester United is possibly the most exciting. The South Korean will offer more than just Eastern marketing opportunities – he will add steel to the midfield, as well as that touch of class that saw him make over 130 appearances for Manchester United.

He is joined by the loan arrival of Fabio from Old Trafford, a player who many have tipped to be the best left back in the world in years to come.

In Robert Green, Andy Johnson and Ryan Nelson, they've added real Premier League quality and experience. Yet there is bound to be more to come.

The only worry surrounding this meteoric rise is it has desperate similarities to Portsmouth during those heady days under Harry Redknapp.

That is not to say that QPR will end up in the same situation – the goings on in the board room are much more transparent, and Fernandes seems like the sort of businessman who really has his head screwed on.

Big names are arriving, for sure, but ridiculous transfer fees are not being thrown around recklessly. The R's are taking a far more considered approach to things.

But there must be a certain word of warning.

These are exciting times, and my goodness, there hardly seems a more worthy group of people than the QPR fans. For years they have had to settle for mediocrity, uncertainty and second best.

Now let's wait and see what the next chapter in this fascinating story is.