Redknapp: I only want players I know

Harry Redknapp will tell Tony Fernandes he is unwilling to change his transfer policy following QPR’s promotion to the Premier League.

The pair are due to meet today and chairman Fernandes told West London Sport this week he would like a younger squad of players to be assembled but that it would be “Harry’s call” whether a new approach to signings is adopted.

And manager Redknapp appears determined to continue largely putting his faith in players he knows, and in many cases has worked with previously.

This season his signings included Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Niko Kranjcar and Tom Carroll, who played under him at Tottenham – in Kranjcar’s case at Portsmouth too – as well as experienced performers like Richard Dunne, Danny Simpson and Yossi Benayoun.

Tony Fernandes, QPR chairman
Fernandes is keen to make signings

“We won’t sign anybody I don’t want, no way,” said Redknapp, referring to an expected deluge of offers of players both to him and the club’s hierarchy now Rangers are back in the top flight.

He added: “I’ll only sign players I know. I like to sign players I know. The ones I’ve brought here I knew – you know what you’re going to get.

“You can never be 100% sure about players but I’d rather take people I know who will come in and do a job for you.”

Promotion via the play-offs means QPR have slightly less time to prepare for next season than Leicester and Burnley, who went up from the Championship automatically.

Redknapp has admitted there is no time to lose as he prepares to face the country’s top teams once again.

He said: “We’re going to have to look around quickly and see where we can find the right type of players. You don’t want to be taking gambles.

“Being in the Premier League and going to places like Anfield is what it’s all about. But you need a team to do it. You don’t want a team that’s going to get smashed up every week.”

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