The Toronto FC Sadvent Calendar: Day 11

 

"THE JOY OF ALEN STEVANOVIC"

 

A new era was upon us! (Again) Aron Winter & Co. with their vast European network would surely poach the UEFA Christmas Markets and secure us a vast array of talent unseen in these parts! The first of which was Torino-loanee Alen Stevanovic. This highly-touted hotshot would surely make us all forget about the departure of Dwayne De Rosario! Then we saw him play. Then he left.

　

Check back tomorrow and open another Sadvent window!



Stevanovic runs straight back to Torino - refuses to look left or right

"Just don't pass. Just don't pass. Just don't pass."

Few would have guessed that yet another mediocre Alen Stevanovic performance would have been the catalyst for a recall to parent-club Torino. Yet, when the enigmatic Swiss-Serb was subbed off against Seattle in the 2nd Half yesterday, he was leaving the BMO Field pitch for the last time.

　
If the other TFC (Torino FC) think that Stevanovic came to MLS and regained some confidence and polished his skills, they would be wrong. The midfielder’s time in Toronto will be remember for head-down runs with the ball, refusing to look for teammates on a play and attempting fancy step-overs only to be easily muscled off the ball.
　
For the injury-plagued Reds', the departure of Stevanovic puts their midfield in red-alert mode while manager Aron Winter pines for reinforcements on every part of the pitch. Perhaps someone should tell him supporters have been waiting for five years.
　
Reds supporters will panic at the loss of another body but not fret over Stevanovic who seemed to have an air of MLS-superiority about him despite showing any performances which illuminated any dominance. Word that Stevanovic grabbed his suitcase and ran to Pearson without looking left or right; threw his hands up in disbelief and disgust at the Alitalia ticket counter; then, tried to do a 360 around customs before tripping and losing possession of his luggage has yet to be confirmed.

THE WORD: TFC to loan Stevanović to TFC?

"Oh, Torino! We're goin' crazy, oh yes it's true!"

Could we finally get to see some hot TFC-on-TFC action? Numerous sources out of Italy are chattering (likely with their hands waving) that Torino FC, aka TFC Italia, is preparing to loan their young midfielder Alen Stevanović to Toronto FC. The rumour, which started off on a few Italian football websites this morning, has been picking up steam as the day has worn on and is now being reported by local mainstream outlets such as The Fan 590.
　
In theory, the move would make sense as loaning players has been mentioned numerous times by management recently as a way of filling out TFC's thin roster. For Torino, it would allow them to move a player who was recently highly regarded but desperately needs playing time, to a league with far less pressure than Serie A. Whether the potential move is long-term or short, it could be mutually beneficial.
　
For Stevanović himself, a move to MLS could prove to be the tonic for a career that seems to keep getting stuck in neutral. The 20-year-old Serbian/ Swiss midfielder was highly sought after during his early career with Serbian side FK Radnički Obrenovac which led to a transfer to Italian giants Inter Milan. Despite his promise, the young Serbo-Swiss couldn't manage to crack Jose Mourinho's talent-laden squad except for one sub appearance and was moved to Torino FC in 2010 in a co-ownership deal. Since that time, Stevanović has only managed 8 First Team appearances with Il Toro and is possibly in need of a fresh start.
　
WORD FACTOR: 6 / 10