Inter's Starlet Stankovic: The Backbone of the "Platinum Generation"

Despite Italian media’s relentless portrayal of Inter as a team on the brink of financial collapse, there are positive developments for the club. For instance, Piotr Zielinski's goal helped Poland to a convincing victory, showcasing his playing style which lies somewhere between Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Nicolo Barella. Zielinski's accuracy and striking power could bring a fresh dimension to Inter's midfield. Additionally, Valentin Carboni once again received praise from Argentina’s coach and legend Lionel Messi, further validating his talent. Many Inter fans are anxious due to Corriere dello Sport's intensive coverage of a potential change in Inter's ownership. However, feedback from Inter's China office suggests there is nothing to worry about.

Of particular note is a detailed article from Gazzetta dello Sport today, highlighting the situation of Inter’s on-loan rising star, Filip Stankovic, son of treble-winning legend Dejan Stankovic. The younger Stankovic's remarkable development is poised to save Inter a significant amount of money. Initially recognized primarily for his famous lineage, Filip Stankovic has now earned attention for his own performances. Last summer, with Andre Onana having left and Yann Sommer's arrival delayed, Stankovic stepped up during Inter’s summer training, performing admirably in several high-profile matches, including one against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite Sommer’s eventual signing pushing him out of Inter's immediate plans, his pre-season displays garnered numerous offers and recognition, leading to a loan move to Sampdoria where he has become the first-choice goalkeeper.

From Newcomer to Mainstay

In the 2021-22 season, at the age of 19, Stankovic embarked on his loan journey, starting with Volendam in the Dutch Eerste Divisie. He quickly established himself as a key player, helping the team achieve promotion and being named the club’s best newcomer. The following season in the Eredivisie, he continued as a regular starter, playing a pivotal role in Volendam's successful battle against relegation and being voted the team’s player of the season. This season, on loan at Sampdoria, Stankovic has started 29 out of 30 league games, earning the genuine affection of the fans.

This impressive trajectory from a novice to a seasoned professional with over 100 appearances across three leagues—Dutch Eerste Divisie, Eredivisie, and Serie A—highlights Stankovic’s steady progress. His consistent performances and dedication have increased his market value and his standing within Inter's management.

Strategic Considerations

Recent weeks have seen media speculation linking Inter with several high-priced goalkeepers for the second-choice position. However, given Inter’s financial constraints, it seems unlikely that they would spend heavily on a backup keeper. The club’s current second-choice keeper is Emil Audero, on loan from Sampdoria, with a buyout clause of €7 million. Despite his commendable attitude and performance in training, Inter has informed Sampdoria they will not activate the buyout clause, underscoring the club’s need to allocate resources judiciously. For Inter, €7 million is a significant sum that must be carefully managed.

Given Stankovic’s steady improvement, recalling him to serve as the second-choice keeper is a viable option. With such a promising talent available, it would be imprudent for Inter to invest heavily in another goalkeeper. However, two variables could affect this decision: Stankovic’s own career aspirations and the potential impact of Audero’s return to Sampdoria. If Stankovic is willing to return to Inter and bide his time as Sommer’s understudy, it would be one scenario. But according to earlier reports, Stankovic aims to help Sampdoria achieve promotion this season and stay there to play as the first-choice keeper in Serie A next year, ultimately returning to Inter with a higher status and competing directly with the aging Sommer for the starting spot.

The "Platinum Generation"

Three years ago, when Inter’s 2002-born players were lauded as the “Platinum Generation,” many players were seen as potential stars, including Cesare Casadei, Sebastiano Esposito, Valentin Carboni, and Franco Tongya. However, while some have left, others have seen their development stall. In hindsight, the standout pillars of this generation are Fabian and Filip Stankovic, who was not initially considered the most prominent.

Considering the unique challenges of the goalkeeper position—where breaking through as a substitute is particularly difficult—Stankovic’s ability to secure first-team football on loan for three consecutive seasons is commendable. His growth and rising market value present Inter with significant benefits, whether he returns as a backup, is sold with a buy-back clause, or continues his upward trajectory and competes for the starting spot upon his return. Inter’s ability to effectively utilize Stankovic’s development will be a critical focus moving forward.