QPR can give anyone a game, says Hughes ahead of Chelsea clash

Mark Hughes has declared that Queens Park Rangers have the ability to “give anyone a game” ahead of their clash with Champions League holders Chelsea.

QPR welcome Roberto Di Matteo’s side to Loftus Road on Saturday, with the Hoops looking to replicate their 1-0 victory over the Blues in the Premier League last October.

Hughes, who took over from Neil Warnock in January, has transformed QPR since that west London derby win in 2011, with the 48-year-old bringing in big-name stars such as Julio César and Esteban Granero.

And the 48-year-old does not expect last year’s victory to play much of a part in his side’s approach to the fixture and is confident his new charges can get a result against Chelsea.

“We’re a new side and we’ve got a lot of players who haven’t had a great deal of time together as a group,” said Hughes.

“Obviously we’ve had two weeks together to work on things and that will help us. We’ve got a good quality in the squad.

“We had a good performance against Chelsea in our last home game in the league, but it was obviously a long time ago and there’s been a lot of changes so the relevance of that significant.

“It’s about the here and now, and making sure we perform on the day. I feel confident that we’ve got a good team with the right amount of ability to give anyone a game.

“We have to play to our full potential because they’re the European champions and it’s a big test.”

The QPR manager snapped up two international goalkeepers this summer, with Rob Green arriving on a free transfer from West Ham United in June.

The England international appeared set to become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper following Paddy Kenny’s move to Leeds United, but the subsequent arrival of César has cast doubt over Green’s future.

And Hughes revealed the 33-year-old shot stopper, signed from Internazionale, is available for Saturday’s clash against Chelsea, but refused to disclose whether the Brazilian would start the derby fixture.

“He’s fit and in the squad,” added Hughes. “I’ve got a group of players here who are pretty strong.

“We’ve got strength in nearly every position now, good depth in the squad and that includes the goalkeepers.

“I’ll make a decision based on what I think will win QPR matches. It’s up to me to make sure we get the right selection for every game. That’s what I’ll try and do.”

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Read more on: Chelsea, julio cesar, mark hughes, Premier League, Queens Park Rangers, rob green.