New signings Varane and Santos impress Cifuentes in QPR EFL Cup victory

QPR's coach, Marti Cifuentes, was happy with how Jonathan Varane and Hevertton Santos played in their team's EFL Cup victory over Luton that was decided by penalties.

Santos, in a different position than usual on the right side of the field, scored the first goal against the Hatters by tapping in the rebound from a shot by Elijah Dixon-Bonner.

It was his debut game for the team after joining them for free from Estrela de Amadora in Portugal during the summer.

"He usually plays as a right full back, but to help him adjust to the style of English football, which is quite different from Portuguese football, we can boost his confidence by playing him on the right wing," Cifuentes elaborated.

However, he spent a majority of the second half playing in the right full-back position. This is all part of the growth process, and as a manager, we often try to come up with strategies to assist players in their development.

"I'm delighted for him, achieving that goal will boost his self-assurance."

Midfielder Varane made his first appearance in the starting lineup after being substituted at half-time during the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United a few weeks ago.

The player from France, who joined Rangers from Sporting Gijon in Spain during the summer, was taken out of the game that day because he received a yellow card and the team was losing by two goals.

In contrast, he showed better control during the game against Luton. Varane impressed with his dribbling skills and had more precise passes compared to his performance at Bramall Lane.

"Cifuentes mentioned that he can react quickly when the ball is coming towards him, and he can create opportunities with his accurate passing."

"He must strike a balance between the speed of his movements and the number of times he touches the ball."

This all ties back to how he positions himself. The more strategic his positioning is, the fewer times he will have to touch the ball.

At times, it's beneficial to swiftly play the ball with just one or two touches, but other times it's crucial to control the ball under pressure. This decision varies depending on the situation.

We shouldn't assume that all of these new players will immediately perform at their highest level.

This has never occurred to any team before. It occurs in different leagues, and there is always a period of adjustment. It is uncertain if it will last for three weeks or three months.

What matters most is that I have faith in them, and I am assured, and I am pleased that they are present.

I believe that Jonathan will continue to have some rough moments and may miss some passes, but I am confident that he will improve over time. I have no doubt that he will become a valuable player for our team in the future.