Exclusive: £3m star tipped for "big future" at Millwall FC | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has given his take on Mihailo Ivanović's breakout season at Millwall.

Lee Hendrie has exclusively told Football League World that Millwall's Serbian striker, Mihailo Ivanovic, has a "big future at the Den".

The 20-year-old joined the Lions last summer in a £3 million deal and has since shown glimpses of the star he could become under Alex Neil.

Although not always a regular starter, he has featured in 16 matches throughout the campaign, accumulating 1,603 minutes on the pitch. During that time, he has found the net six times, with some of his goals showcasing real quality - most notably, a stunning free-kick against Preston North End and a sumptuous volley against Luton Town.

His next challenge will be convincing his head coach that he deserves a consistent starting role. However, having signed a long-term contract at The Den, he has plenty of time to make his case.

Lee Hendrie eyes Ivanovic as one to watch for the future

Speaking exclusively to Football League World about Ivanovic, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has admitted that he is expecting more to come from the former Sampdoria man.

"He has six goals this season in the league, 20 years of age, first season – it has not been a bad season for him," Hendrie told FLW.

"He has shown glimpses of what he can produce. I don't think it would be a bad thing for him to stay on at Millwall, continue what he is doing, and improve. There is still a long way to go for him, and establishing what he is about and improving next season would be brilliant.

"He has got a big future at The Den, and I know fans appreciate what he has done since going there.

"Another season from him will be big for the football club, and it won't do him any harm whatsoever."

Millwall's long list of attackers could hinder Ivanovic

The one challenge facing Ivanovic is the long list of strikers currently on Millwall’s books.

The club boasts a wealth of attacking options, including Macauley Langstaff (pictured above), Josh Coburn, Aaron Connolly, and the soon-to-return-from-loan Kevin Nisbet.

Coburn is set to return to Middlesbrough following his temporary spell at the Den, but Neil has already expressed his desire to sign the 22-year-old permanently.

This would leave Ivanovic facing plenty of competition, and at his age, consistency is not always guaranteed. For a team like Millwall, reliability is crucial, but that should not deter the head coach from placing more faith in the Serbian forward.

This season, he has been afforded just over 1,600 minutes on the pitch, and being in and out of the starting line-up will have done little for his confidence.

However, there remains the possibility of a strike partnership in Neil’s system. While Coburn appears to be the first-choice option, there is a chance for Ivanovic to feature alongside him, as he did against Stoke City just a few weeks ago.

A strong pre-season should ensure he remains firmly in the head coach’s plans, leaving Ivanovic well set for a successful 2025-26 campaign.