Last summer’s blunder: the talented De Ketelaere reveals why his commitment to Milan didn’t work out

It was the biggest investment of last summer for AC Milan, but Charles De Ketelaere was a disappointment in the red and black jersey. The Rossoneri have therefore sent him on loan to Atalanta Bergamo, where the Belgian is making his mark. In any case, in a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, he explained why his engagement in Milan did not work out as expected.

It was perceived by everyone. The fans, the club, the coach and the player himself. Charles de Ketelaere transferred to AC Milan last August, specifically from Bruges for 35 and a half million euros.

Why did the management of the Italian big club pay so much for him? De Ketelaere was then showing himself to be one of the greatest talents in Belgian football. And in Bruges he achieved great numbers, after all, in the 2021/22 season he recorded a record of 14+7 in 33 games from the position of offensive midfielder.

However, his transfer to Italy, specifically to the Milan giant, did not go as he had hoped. In the 2022/23 season, the Belgian international played 40 competitive matches in the red and black jersey, scoring only one assist.

This didn’t work out, everyone was clear. So the Rossoneri tried to cash in on him via a permanent transfer in the summer, but to no avail. Eventually, Atalanta Bergamo showed interest in his services, but on a loan deal.

As part of this deal, 3 million euros landed in Milan’s coffers. However, the away deal includes an option to buy for €26 million, including bonuses. AC will also receive a ten percent future sale clause, bringing the total amount of this “package” closer to the original asking price of €30 million.

First goal, de Ketelaere is making his mark at Atalanta…

Since his transfer, the Belgian talent has played three league games in a Bergamo jersey, scoring his debut Serie A goal in the opening one. He then added an assist. He already has a better record than he had in 40 games in the red and black jersey. So what went wrong at AC?

“When you come to a new place, there is a lot of work to do – to adapt to the country, to the game system, to the language. But of course, if it didn’t work out in Milan, it was partly my fault. It was not the season I expected, but I don’t regret it,” De Ketelaere said in an interview with the well-known Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I didn’t always perform at the top level on the pitch. I’m not the explosive type, I feel better when I’m on the pitch for a longer period of time and I can get into the rhythm of the game. The criticism has done the rest: I don’t read newspapers all the time, I try to isolate myself. But still one perceives them and does not remain indifferent,” he added.

Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, Transfermarkt, Twitter / X