For years and years – basically since former Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic retired – Serbia have had problems finding an optimal solution for the right-back position.
At Euro 2024, that part of the pitch was filled by midfielders.
But a couple of months down the line, that issue finally seems to be solved, after Aston Villa‘s Kosta Nedeljkovic debuted in the Nations League.
The 18-year-old, who is on loan at Red Star Belgrade, started both games against Spain and Denmark and made a quite good impression.
“Nedeljkovic was playing for the first time and it looked like the kid’s been with us for many years,” said Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic said after a 0-0 draw with European champions Spain.
“Congratulations to him on the debut. It’s an important date for every player.”
Only a year ago, Nedeljkovic played for Graficar, Red Star’s development team, in the Serbian second tier. His career has skyrocketed.
He became part of the Belgrade first-team squad, played in the Champions League – and earned his transfer to the Premier League. But the international call-up was still missing.
“He was supposed to be with us in Germany, but injuries happened and he lost continuity. At one point, we didn’t even know where he was,” added Stojkovic.
“Now he rose to the occasion and justified the role of a debutant.
“He fulfilled everything I asked of him – to be good in defence, but also use his pace on the other side of the pitch and send balls into the penalty area.”
That is something a proper right-back should do – and Nedeljkovic does seems like one.