Adem Ljajic’s Rennaisance in Florence

In January 2010, a young attacker by the name of Adem Ljajic signed for Fiorentina for a reported €8 million (£6.7 million) from Partizan Belgrade.

Despite being labelled a bright star, as his club started to slip, so did the player himself on and off the pitch.

In may 2012, after Ljajic sarcastically applauded his coach Delio Rossi’s decision to take him off in a game against Novara, the tactician wound up to punch the young Serbian, but didn’t end up connecting.

Rossi was eventually sacked for his actions, but many wondered about Ljajic’s future in Tuscany following the incident. He went from being touted as one of the best “undiscovered” youngsters in Europe to one with an attitude. Thanks to the threat of relegation, it was likely that the Viola would sell the attacker for a small fee and be rid of what they thought was a headcase. Thankfully for the Viola, they stuck by him and are now reaping the rewards.

Along with his fellow Eastern European strike partner, Stevan Jovetic, Ljajic has done a 180 degree turn. He’s not only matured mentally, but he has been one of Fiorentina’s key contributors this season.

He’s scored eight goals in 20 Serie A starts and has returned the favour by getting eight assists. Since Ljajic can play behind the strikers as a trequartista and up front, he can provide the likes of Jovetic and Luca Toni with scoring chances along with striking one or two of his own.

Ljajic is also an accomplished set piece taker. Of his eight tallies, two have come from direct free kicks and another was off a penalty in his side’s 2-2 draw against AC Milan in April.

There was no doubting Ljajic’s ability, but his sudden resurgence this season is what’s got everyone scratching their head. After all, this is a player who, at the age of 20, already appeared to have burned his bridge to footballing fame with the Rossi debacle last May.

However, the coaching change and project introduced by the owners, Andrea and Diego Della Valle, is what’s lit a fire underneath the Serbian. Former Roma caretaker and Catania boss Vincenzo Montella was hired to get Fiorentina back into the Champions League and eventually challenge for the Scudetto within three years. Since almost every big club’s rebuilding, it seemed an appropriate time for the Tuscan side to do the same.

It’s exactly what’s given Ljajic a boost of confidence that’s backed up his former director at Partizan. When Ljajic’s supposedly imminent deal with Manchester United fell through in 2009, Partizan’s director of football, Ivan Tomic, claimed that United “will regret the decision in the future”.

If this campaign is any indication, it would appear that the English champions missed out on a hidden prodigy. With a younger, more determined coach and an equally youthful squad, the sky’s the limit for Ljajic.

If his teammate Jovetic ends up leaving for seemingly brighter pastures at Manchester City or Juventus, the 21-year-old Serbian may become the new fan favourite at the Artemio Franchi, especially if he continues his current form.