Stankovic's Limited Role: Chivu's Least-Used Player

Aleksandar Stankovic, a player who garnered significant attention during Inter's summer preparations, has barely featured in the team's official matches this season. Returning to Inter after a stint with Club Brugge, Stankovic has received scant opportunities under Cristian Chivu's management. This limited playtime is partly expected due to the squad's depth and the coach's preference for more experienced players. Consequently, Stankovic has become one of the least utilized members of the squad, with only the injured Spence, who hasn't played at all, having fewer minutes.

Fifteen Minutes Total

The statistics paint a clear picture: in the first six official games, Stankovic was an unused substitute four times. Chivu has only brought him on for brief periods in two matches. The first appearance came on the opening day against Monza, where the young midfielder entered for the final seven minutes. An additional eight minutes were granted in the closing stages of the game against Udinese. In total, the 2005-born player has accumulated just 15 minutes on the field so far. This is a small tally for a player who distinguished himself last season with Club Brugge, even becoming a key player for the Belgian side.

Inter's midfield appears to have well-defined hierarchies at the start of the season. Calhanoglu and Barella are the mainstays, while Zielinski and Jones have primarily alternated at left mezzala. The Pole can also step in as a deep-lying midfielder when Calhanoglu is unavailable, as is currently the case. Other players seeing significant involvement include Sucic and Mkhitaryan, with the Armenian being selected over Stankovic against Udinese. In this competitive landscape, Stankovic remains lower in the pecking order, despite his versatility across multiple midfield roles.

Coach's Confidence

During the summer training camp, the midfielder showed positive signs. Chivu tested him both as a deep-lying playmaker and as a mezzala, assessing his adaptability to different positions. The coach also knows Stankovic well, having previously managed him in the Primavera youth team. This familiarity with Stankovic's characteristics, strengths, and areas for improvement could benefit the young player.

Competition remains fierce, and playing time has been minimal in the early part of the season. However, Inter still views Stankovic as a viable alternative. For the son of a football legend, the next challenge is to translate his coach's trust into actual playing time on the field.

Stankovic's Limited Role: Chivu's Least-Used Player

Aleksandar Stankovic, after a promising summer, has seen minimal playing time under Cristian Chivu this season, accumulating only 15 minutes across six matches.