More than 35 million euros is the sum that Paolo Maldini, sporting director of AC Milan at that time, managed to negotiate with Club Bruges to afford the services of Charles De Ketelaere. The young promise then came out of a full season, including an XXL performance against PSG in the Champions League, and Belgium thought it had found its new little prince. Nothing went as planned for the long-line attacking midfielder in Lombardy, despite the confidence of his coach Stefano Pioli: 35 matches, 0 goals, 1 assist.
« When you arrive in a new place, there is a lot to do. You have to adapt to the country, the game system, the languagehe explained to provide some extenuating circumstances. But of course, if it didn’t work out in Milan, it’s also partly my fault. It wasn’t the season I expected, but I don’t regret it. » The morning rain did not stop the pilgrim and CDK found his football about fifty kilometers from Milan, in Bergamo, where he had been loaned for a season before Atalanta decided to exercise the option of purchase of 22 million euros this summer. What a great idea.
Gasperini, the man of the renaissance
There are gems in football, but you have to know how to polish them. Gian Pierro Gasperini discovered one under the name of Charles De Ketelaere. Upon his arrival, the Italian technician knew how to get the best out of his player and made him a key element in the European campaign which ended with success in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen. “ Charles is a talented player with great room for improvement. Its rapid integration and field performance are impressive », rejoiced his teammate Rafael Toloi at the microphone of SportItalia. Standing at 192 centimeters tall, the native of Bruges recalled that he was a versatile and creative player, two qualities that Gasp’ needs in its tactical plan.
If he continues like this, he will soon play in a top club and aim for the Ballon d’Or.
De Ketelaere knows how to do many things in many places on the field: a playmaker shot, another false nine or even a scorer. “ I can play in all offensive positions », confirmed the 23-year-old when asked for his favorite position. To this, we can add his influence in the game: decisive actions, an ability to create opportunities and a volume of play which allows him to string together matches. He has become an indisputable starter among the Orobici, where his performances do not go unnoticed, as Antonio Cassano said in the podcast Long live footballconsidering CDK as “one of the best players in Serie A and perhaps the world. If he continues like this, he will soon play in a top club and aim for the Ballon d’Or. » He has very concrete objectives with the Deawho dreams of a Scudetto and who would like to win the Italian Super Cup, of which she will play the semi-final against Inter this Thursday evening.
An imp status in selection
We are talking about a man who will have left his mark on 2024, with 20 goals and 16 assists. The Red Devil is comfortable in blue and black, but it is when he returns to the selection that doubts return to the table. Although his profile as a supporting striker is enticing, he has yet to find a place with Belgium, being used very little by Domenico Tedesco. Between two absences due to injury at the start and end of the calendar year, De Ketelaere only played six games for Belgium and had to make do with very little crumbs during the Euro, with just one appearance, against France in the round of 16, for just a few minutes.
His performances at club have not given him a new status, he remains a rotation player and fails to establish himself as the face of the future, that of the post-golden generation, the one who must become a technical leader and a part of the locker room while Romelu Lukaku and Kevin de Bruyne are at the end. “ I’m ready to show up and do my best. I hope I get my chance. There will be more room to play and I hope to be able to express myself », he assured recently. Everything in its time: De Ketelaere will celebrate his 24th birthday on March 10 and Belgium has time to realize that it has pure talent.
Atalanta catches up with Lazio and remains in the lead
