Jovan Mijatović should not return to NYCFC and should stay out on loan | OneFootball

It was not shocking when New York City FC sent Jovan Mijatović out on loan to Belgian club Oud-Heverlee Leuven. The Serbian was once an exciting signing, but his 2024 season did not go according to plan. It was underwhelming, and the striker could not find his groove in Major League Soccer.

So, the club sent him on loan back in January, with the hope he would find himself again with another team. It was only for half a season, and Mijatović is supposed to return to the Pigeons when the deal expires on June 30. However, the Serbian should not return. Instead, NYCFC should find a new team for him to go out on loan to.

NYCFC's Jovan Mijatović needs another loan deal

Sadly, the NYCFC striker's time with OH Leuven did not go well. He missed a lot of time due to an injury and only played seven matches with the team, starting just once. Then, he only scored one goal, which occurred in his first game for the club.

Arguably, Mijatović's attempt to recapture his form from before his time with NYCFC was influenced by his injury. The player needed the minutes. At the same time, he was not necessarily starting matches before he got hurt.

Nevertheless, those minutes never arrived, and the Serbian is still in the same position he was in when he left the Boys in Blue. He needs playing time and likely another change in scenery. Obviously, Alonso Martínez is not moving out of the Starting XI, so returning to the Big Apple is not an option. Then, nobody knows whether OH Leuven wants him back. Truthfully, since his time in Belgium did not go well, moving elsewhere would be the best option.

Where should NYCFC send Mijatović next? Should it be until the end of the year, or somewhere he can play a full season? He has expressed his desire to play in Europe in the past, so he probably should remain on the continent. More importantly, he needs to head to a team where he will get a high chance of becoming the starting forward.

Now, some might argue that NYCFC should cut their losses. The club should either sell him or terminate the contract. But Mijatović's talent did not go away, never to return. It is still there; he just needs the right situation to return to the form that led the Bronx team to sign him in the first place.