Club Brugge are closely monitoring the situation of Aleksandar Stankovic at Inter. The midfielder, who was a key player for Brugge last season, has barely featured for the Italian side this campaign.

Stankovic played 55 matches for Club Brugge last term, scoring nine goals and providing five assists. He started all ten Champions League games, won the league title, and was named Promise of the Year and Talent of the Season. Inter paid 23 million euros to re-sign him this summer, but he has managed only fifteen minutes of official action since, including seven minutes against Monza and eight against Udinese. He was an unused substitute for the entire Champions League match against Real Madrid.

Midfield Competition

The competition for places in Inter's midfield is fierce, with players like Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella, Piotr Zielinski and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Despite the club rejecting a 40 million euro plus bonuses offer from Brentford and Sky Sport Italia stating in late August he was not for sale, a loan move is now being considered. Corriere dello Sport and La Gazzetta dello Sport do not rule out Stankovic seeking continuity elsewhere for the final six months of the season, with a final decision expected in January.

His father and former star Dejan Stankovic emphasised the need for playing time back in May. "Aleksandar above all needs continuity and must remain a starter," he said. He also praised the club where his son flourished: "I saw what Club did with Aleksandar in two or three months. Everything you see now is the fruit of that work."

The Void in Bruges

At Club Brugge, the absence of Stankovic, along with departed midfielder Raphael Onyedika, is being felt. Analyst Nordin Jbari highlighted this after the recent 3-0 win over Genk. "Against a big team it was important to have someone like Onyedika in the team. There is no player like him anymore today," Jbari said. Of Stankovic, he added: "He made the team play and was always well positioned. Freddie Potts is totally different. This midfield is less armed."

The club currently sits third in the Jupiler Pro League with 18 points from seven games, just one point behind leaders Union. They have a goal difference of +12. The next fixture is an away match against 14th-placed RAAL La Louvière. Fans can check the full schedule and current standings.

Jbari also warned of the challenges in Europe. "This Bruges team, for now at least, is less armed for the Champions League. Finishing in the top 24 will be the hardest part," he said via RTBF. Club Brugge's group includes Inter, Liverpool and Napoli. Stankovic himself scored a goal and provided two assists against Marseille in the competition last season.

Inter coach Chivu had praising words for the player's development in July. "He made a brave choice by going to play outside Italy, away from everything he was used to," Chivu said. "He has matured and grown, and I can't wait to see him on the pitch." Whether those words will materialise this season in Milan, or whether a return to a familiar environment is needed, will become clear in the coming months. The winter transfer window opens in just over three months.

The report in full is at VoetbalNieuws.be