‘Sons of Serbia’ — Dejan Kuzmanović (Monaco)
It was big news two years ago, when Dejan Kuzmanović joined Saša Ilić’s Serbia U17 squad, as a French native, playing for AS Monaco. The defender impressed, but for some inexplicable reason hasn’t been called up since. I spoke with Dejan about his goals in football and plans for the near future.
The 19-year-old's story starts in southern France — Lyon, to be exact. Like his father, he was born in France, to which his grandparents emigrated from Zemun in the ’70s. Dejan is still very much tied to his roots. ‘I’ve been going back to Zemun since I was a kid. I love to visit my grandma and see my family and friends there.’
His talent didn’t go unnoticed in Serbia, as he had offers to join both Crvena zvezda and Partizan. He chose to continue his development at Monaco, however.
The versatile defender has been steadily progressing in Monte Carlo and was an integral part of their U19s this season and also in the reserves on occasion. ‘I’ve started all matches for the U19s and was even captain of the team several times. The coach put his full faith in me, as I played as centre-back, but also regularly on the right side of the defence.’
Asked to describe his main qualities, Kuzmanović is quick to point out his duel strength: ‘I’m a leader, aggressive and a fighter. I’m not afraid to put my head where others don’t dare to put their feet.’
Furthermore, Kuzmanović is strong in one-versus-one’s, reliable with his passing and quick off the mark. At the same time, he’s realistic enough to realize that there is still scope for improvement: ‘concentration for the full 90 minutes and positioning in particular are things I’m working on.’
For now, it looks as if he’ll be playing for Monaco’s reserves next season, but there are other options as well: ‘I have one more contract year at Monaco, but the club has recently mentioned a possible move to Belgian satellite club Cercle Brugge. I’ll have to sit down, weigh my options and pick the best one for my career.’
His development hasn’t received the recognition it deserves in Serbia, however. After being part of the U18 squad during 2021, this season he’s yet to be called up, without any apparent reason or explanation. In fact, Serbia’s U19s were short-handed at right-back during the last qualifying campaign and still no call-up ensued.
That’s not to say there hasn’t been any contact at all with representatives of the Serbian football association. ‘At the start of the season, U21 head coach Goran Stevanović called me on the phone and said he was looking for a right-back for his squad. He had heard I did well in the U17s and U18s and was tracking my progress. But in the end, I never received an official invitation.’
The lack of attention from Serbia has only motivated Kuzmanović to train harder. His next goal is to become part of the U21 squad for the upcoming qualifying campaign and he has even bigger dreams for the future. ‘I know the Serbian national team is in serious need of a right-back and I’ll give everything to become that player.’
Asked where he sees himself in five years from now, Kuzmanović has a clear plan: ‘I hope to be playing in Serie A, as a senior Serbian international, winning major titles. But my biggest goal is to someday win the Champions League.’
