Blackpool Among League One Clubs Chasing Veteran Forward
Blackpool are among a number of clubs chasing out of contract QPR striker Chris Martin, as reported by Darren Witcoop of The Sunday Mirror.
Martin joined the West London club in January on a short-term deal, the 34-year-old made 16 appearances for the club, scoring on four occasions for the club and reportedly has a number of clubs in the third division seeking his signature, with recently relegated Blackpool amongst his potential suitors.
However, any club seeking his signature could potentially be hindered by the forward currently holding out for a new deal at Loftus Road. Witcoop also reports that the club are also in talks with the striker over extending his stay. Martin scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over champions Burnley during his time with the club.
The forward started his season with Championship side Bristol City, joining the club in 2020 after being released by Derby County, extending his contract by a year in the summer of 2022, he would not see out that contract as he departed Ashton Gate by mutual consent on the deadline day of the January transfer window. He would sign his short-term contract with QPR on 6th February 2023.
Martin has a wealth of experience in his career, playing for a host of various clubs across the EFL, the largest portion of his career that he spent with a club was his time at Derby County. During his seven year stay at Pride Park, he made 186 appearances for the Rams and scored 65 goals for the club.
Blackpool are looking to rebound from relegation after finishing 23rd in the Championship last season, they will play next season in the third tier and have a squad rebuild to get underway as they look to bounce back immediately. The club has already begun working on that rebuild after completing one signing in the summer transfer window in Albie Morgan. The midfielder has already expressed his desire to achieve a second promotion in his career after securing promotion in his first season at the Valley. Morgan already has Championship experience on his CV as part of the Charlton Athletic team that were relegated from the second tier in 2019/20.
What next for Martin?
There’s no doubting Martin’s experience and credibility. And he showed last season with QPR that he’s a player who can still put in the work rate and who can still chip in with goals.
He’d be a solid signing for a lot of League One clubs but it wouldn’t be all that surprising if QPR handed him a new deal. Gareth Ainsworth isn’t blessed with striking options and Martin proved his worth last season, but if the R’s wanted him around for next season then he’d have probably been handed a new deal by now.
Writer’s View
Blackpool and Neil Critchley have a tough task ahead of them to get out of League One at the first time of asking, we have already seen Derby County narrowly miss out last season. However, the division was considerably tougher last season than it looks on paper this season, meaning many of the teams who consider themselves powerhouses will be looking at making a statement. Part of getting the Tangerines out of the third tier will require someone with experience and an EFL veteran like Chris Martin could be the ideal candidate for the club, as well as someone with promotion experience like Albie Morgan. However, it appears that any club that is chasing Martin may require things to turn sour between the West London club and the forward before they can attract the player to the third tier.
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