Inter Plan First-Team Role For Aleksandar Stankovic As Chivu Welcomes Return

What happened:

Watch the highlights:

Yahoo Sports reports that Aleksandar Stankovic will be part of Inter’s squad next season, with Cristian Chivu making clear his enthusiasm for the returning talent. The source notes that Chivu first coached Stankovic in Inter’s youth ranks, adding useful context to why the player’s reintegration may carry more than routine preseason interest.

Why it matters:

Inter’s decision to include Stankovic in the squad matters because it points to an internal development route at a club where roles are usually hard-earned. A returning player does not automatically become a major contributor, but being kept with the squad means he is at least inside the competitive picture. Chivu’s familiarity with him from the youth setup is relevant: a coach who knows a player’s habits, strengths and development curve may be more willing to define a role early rather than treat him as an unknown trial piece.

Tournament impact:

For Inter, the practical value is depth, flexibility and continuity. Long campaigns are often shaped by the players outside the headline XI, especially when domestic and continental schedules compress. If Stankovic can cover meaningful minutes, Inter gain an option without needing every answer to come from the transfer market. If he is still more developmental than ready, the club must manage expectations carefully and avoid turning a squad place into a burden.

What changed:

The confirmed change is his place in next season’s squad plans. The source does not confirm a permanent starting role, a contract detail, a transfer decision elsewhere or a fixed position. That distinction matters. “Part of the squad” is a real step, but it is not the same as being guaranteed a major role when competitive matches begin.

What to watch:

The important clues will be where Chivu uses him and how often. A preseason role can reveal whether Inter see Stankovic as cover in a specific position, a rotation option across multiple scenarios, or a player being tested before final squad decisions. Chivu’s public enthusiasm gives the story momentum, but the harder evidence will come through minutes, matchday involvement and trust in higher-pressure situations.

Confidence:

Confirmed by the source: Aleksandar Stankovic is expected to be part of Inter’s squad next season, and Cristian Chivu is enthusiastic about a player he coached in the youth ranks. Still needing follow-up: the exact role, position, minutes expectation and whether that plan survives final squad planning.