Jovan Milosevic, on loan from VfB Stuttgart, is impressing across the board at Partizan. The 20-year-old’s performances are causing mixed feelings among the Belgrade club.
Two years ago, Jovan Milosevic moved from Vojvodina Novi Sad to VfB Stuttgart for €1.2 million at the tender age of 17—and immediately disappeared from view.
The Serbian was unable to establish himself at the Swabian club. After only five brief appearances in the Bundesliga, he was initially loaned to St. Gallen and then, last January, to Partizan. There, the 20-year-old is really taking off.
Performance explosion in the summer
At first, things didn’t seem to be going too well for Milosevic in Belgrade either. After injuries and little playing time, his lack of confidence was evident, which was also reflected in his mediocre performances on the pitch. But eight months have passed since then, and the striker has blossomed into the absolute number one player for the “steamroller.”
While his performances in the spring still had room for improvement, the summer saw a veritable explosion in his performance. In the last 15 competitive games, the striker has scored ten times and set up another goal. What is special about this is that he has scored in six of the last seven league games, demonstrating his consistency.
PFK coach Srdjan Blagojevic is fully committed to the striker, who moves around a lot, repeatedly drops deep, wins balls, creates chances, and also has a good understanding with fellow striker Andrej Kostic (18), who is more of a classic number nine.
Stuttgart has the final say
As much as Belgrade is delighted with Milosevic’s run, the worry lines on the faces of Partizan’s officials are likely to deepen with every goal he scores. The striker’s loan expires in the winter, when he is scheduled to return to VfB. The Serbs do not have an option to buy, so everything is completely in Stuttgart’s hands.
As is well known, VfB sent the young striker to Belgrade to gain playing experience, which he is currently doing week after week – and how. However, the Serbs have not given up hope that he will stay beyond the New Year. It is said that there is a chance of convincing VfB to let the player stay in Belgrade for longer.
No one knows how likely this is – or rather, no one wants to speculate. Partizan’s main argument is the regular playing time and the player’s continued development that comes with it. After all, Milosevic is at an age where regular appearances are hugely beneficial to his development.
This raises the question of whether he would get this in Stuttgart. The answer to this question and the final decision on the striker’s future ultimately rests with VfB.
