Miodrag Pivas of Willem II during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AFC Ajax Amsterdam and Willem II
Miodrag Pivas of Willem II during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AFC Ajax Amsterdam and Willem II
Newcastle United will be keeping a close eye on the development of loanee Miodrag Pivas as the youngster's temporary transfer to Dutch side Willem II threatens to go the way of Garang Kuol's own ill-fated spell in the Netherlands.
The 19-year-old midfielder, signed by Newcastle to much fanfare in the summer, has played just nine minutes of Eredivisie football since arriving at Willem II on loan, earning just one start for Willem's senior side in a TOTO KNVB Beker cup clash back in October. Since then Pivas has had to settle for five consecutive league games as an unused substitute.
The Serbian star, who has already been compared to the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Branislav Ivanovic in terms of his vast potential, is one of many young talents Newcastle have poached from around Europe with an eye towards the future. However, watching the player stagnate on the continent will not impress sporting director Paul Mitchell, loan manager Shola Ameobi or development guru Jack Ross.
After watching Kuol struggle both at Dutch side Volendam and Scottish outfit Hearts, more time and effort is being poured into ensuring Newcastle's young and prospective talent end up at the right type of clubs on loan. Yankuba Minteh's temporary spell at Feyenoord last term is the prime example of a move working out well, with the winger enjoying a regular spell in Arne Slot's side as the club won the league.
With Vakhtang Salia arriving from Dinamo Tbilisi next summer and teenage talent such as Rory Finneran and Trevan Sanusi working well behind the scenes, Newcastle need to become masters of this type of trading.
As for Pivas, the player has endured a tricky start to life in the Netherlands after a delayed start to his loan spell away from Newcastle. The teenager was present for a Willem game back at the beginning of September but his move wasn't officially sanctioned until the back end of the month due to visa issues.
Until his work permit was granted in the Netherlands, Pivas was unable to train or play for the club and instead was forced to return to former club FK Jedinstvo to maintain his fitness. Upon his eventual arrival, Willem II boss Peter Maes said: "Mio has not played a match for four months, so in terms of rhythm and intensity we still have some work to do with that boy.
"We also have to give him time. He will play with the Under-21s, to gain match rhythm."