Seven games, 349 minutes of playing time for a small assist. This is the record of Charles de Ketelaere since his arrival in Milan this summer. Those who see the glass half full will say that CDK has plenty of playing time. Very important element in the eyes of Roberto Martinez to deserve a selection. Even more so when he said that some players, like CDK, shouldn’t take too many risks in view of the World Cup. Others will say that it is not decisive enough. The truth certainly lies between these two points of view.
One thing is certain, no one doubts his talent in the Boot. And certainly not the master of the place Zlatan Ibrahimovic. In an interview for Gazzetta dello Sport, the striker showered the Belgium international with praise. “I tell you, De Ketelaere is a top player”he began. “Just give it some time to grow and you’ll see…”, added the one who speaks of him in the third person.
Good news, he’s not the only one to think so. Former Rossoneri striker Luca Saudati also believes in not rushing with the Devil. “Playing at San Siro is really not easy. Especially for young players like him.” The one who scored 86 goals in Serie A then advised the nugget. “He has to isolate himself from rumors and the outside world. If I had to give him one tip, it would be to keep his carefree attitude. He’s young, he has to have fun and show what he’s capable of. Sampdoria, he didn’t have a good game but we have to give him time.”
“A kid with talent and class”
In Genoa, however, he thought he opened his goal counter. But his achievement was canceled for an offside at the start of the action. For the rest, he was quite discreet. Nothing to worry about his coach Stefano Pioli who is convinced of the quality of the ideal son-in-law. “Charles De Ketelaere was once again very dangerous. He is already an important player. He had a very good encounter“, he asserted. “With his talent, Charles is able to do whatever is asked of him.”
After their draw against Salzburg, AC Milan must absolutely win against Zagreb this Wednesday evening. Especially since the match is played at home. Then the Milanese will face Napoli in a new gala poster. A game of crucial importance for the Scudetto because the two teams are tied on 14 points (like Atalanta). Stefano Pioli is already facing a major problem: the absence of Rafael Leao. The Portuguese received a red card against Samp. He will therefore be absent for suspension.
Which means CDK will have an even bigger role to play as the technical leader of the Milan outfit. “Leao’s absence will be very heavy for Milan”estimated Giuseppe Pancaro, former footballer of AC Milan, for Milan News. “He is difficult to replace but Pioli has solutions.” One of them will be to give even more prominence to the 21-year-old Belgian. “I really like De Ketelaere. He has talent and class. This kid always makes the right choice. But he needs time to settle into the XI”added Pancaro.
Hence the CDK paradox in Milan: a player who needs time but does not really have it.