Charles De Ketelaere gave an interesting interview last night after his goal and assist helped Atalanta to a 4-1 victory at home against Salernitana.
De Ketelaere now has two goals and four assists in Serie A plus two goals in the Europa League group stages, which means that in the eyes of many he is finally managing to establish himself in Italy.
After closing his first and probably only season with Milan with zero goals and one assist, the Belgian seems to be finding more chances to shine under Gian Piero Gasperini, in a role and a system that suits him better.
Immediately after the game, De Ketelaere praised his new coach and also perhaps sent a message to Stefano Pioli regarding what was asked of him last season. He spole to Sky and DAZN, with his comments relayed by Radio Rossonera.
“Even at the beginning of the season I did well, then I went through a so-so period but in the last few weeks I feel better. I am very happy with the performance, the victory against Milan gave us confidence, in Poland, with many young players, winning 0-4 boosted us. Today we scored another four goals in a comeback and it shows us in view of the next matches,” he said.
There was a lot of confusion about where De Ketelaere should be playing at times last season, given he failed to really assert himself in the No.10 role, and the ex-Brugge star answered a question on his role.
“Gasperini asks me so much more, both tactically and on technical aspects, to aim and be a protagonist in attack. I try, I feel like I’m growing. Several things help me, but above all the fact that I feel good in this style of play and in the position: you can see it and I’m happy, as a striker I feel good.
“The coach requires many things from us on a tactical level but he also puts a lot of pressure on us, he is always very clear in what he says and this gives us confidence. We are always in the right position, and that’s why we create so many scoring opportunities.
“Am I more physically ready this year? Yes it’s true, although I think that the current position gives me more strength to be able to play. I’m not a player who can run 12km in a match, but I can have a lot of intensity and in this position I can do this more and therefore I also feel stronger in the action I do.”
BergamoNews recently revealed the real figures of De Ketelaere’s move: a paid loan costing €3m plus an option to buy set at €22m and a further €2m in bonuses, thus making a total of €27m. When asked about his future beyond this season, CDK gave little away.
“I’m fine here, I’d be happy to grow again at Atalanta but we’re still in the month of December, I’m not thinking about next season yet.”
Very happy for him to find success at Atalanta. Hope he continues to grow and maybe turn out to be the next Muller or something.
Our management should try to secure a deal for Koopmeiners in a CDK+ cash type of deal.
I’m happy that he’s doing well and starting to justify the price tag. If Atalanta decided to purchase him then it’s a small loss and if they don’t, I’m sure some EPL teams might be interested, considering how he’s finally getting into form.
But, the one thing I wanna underline here is this comment:
” I’m not a player who can run 12km in a match, but I can have a lot of intensity and in this position I can do this more and therefore I also feel stronger in the action I do.”
It’s also curious that he at least doesn’t get injured (at least not that I remember?) while he was at Milan, where everyone seems like catching injury like a plague. It is quite evident that Pioli’s tactics required a heavy dose of running and hence it’s no wonder that players are overexerting themselves and getting more injury prone as the result.
Premier league enter the chat…:D
Good observation. CDK failed to follow Pioli tactics and thus failed to get himself injured.
And also failed to do anything else. Aside from the physical aspect (which may be another indictment on Pioli), here is the key quote: “Several things help me, but above all the fact that I feel good in this style of play and in the position: you can see it and I’m happy, as a striker I feel good.” The point is he’s being employed a second striker in a 2-man attack, within a 3-5-2/3-4-1-2 system. It’s not how we play, and it’s not how are squad is set up. It’s clear he’s a decent player, but CDK doesn’t fit with us and he was the wrong player to spend 35m on. Let’s move on.
Cdk is forming a formidable twin attack in atalanta. Poli have destroyed Cdk and Adil. Had Adil played in another club, he would have shined. Poli tactics is simple. Bull doze in the middle and then hope for the best via left flank. It just doesn’t work out againsttop team, we are paid the price being dumped out of Champions league.
You may be right about Adli, although I’d challenge the word “destroy”, but CDK is not the right player for a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. This is not “destroying” a player. This is buying the wrong player. It has nothing to do with Pioli, as any other coach using 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 would most likely face the same issues with CDK. People need to face the music. CDK was not the right choice for us. As to your overall critique of Pioli’s tactics, I don’t disagree.
I feel like Milan never click with 433. Even when they won scudetto with 4231 and without solid AM (Brahim) sometimes the performance kinda shaky. Saying that the management bought wrong player (CDK and Adli in this case) also kinda weird as this would suggest that there’s no communication between Maldini/Massara and Pioli about what kinda player the coach needed.
“Saying that the management bought wrong player (CDK and Adli in this case) also kinda weird as this would suggest that there’s no communication between Maldini/Massara and Pioli about what kinda player the coach needed.”
Could this be one of the reasons the club parted with Maldini/Massara? Notice how prior to their departure we were linked to a whole set of players, like Kamada for instance, who then did not arrive? Seems to be like Pioli got the players he wanted and he intended to switch to a 4-3-3. Any underperformance is now squarely on his shoulders. One can also blame the injuries, but one can also blame the injuries on him/his staff. As to Adli, not sure why people are so high on him. He’s a defensive liability and in contemporary football you need to be good on both sides of the ball if you’re going to be a midfielder. He’s a decent player, but one who would have been better 20 years ago.
He would have shone under Carlo’s 4312 or christmas 4321. Not that much loss for us if Atalanta decide to get his outright. At least for this current Milan’s system. Well except if we change the system (read: manager) next season.
Basically Pioli couldn’t figure out that he should play him in attack for an entire season. Master of his craft!
It’s simple. CDK needs to play in a 2 striker system to be effective. Pioli uses one striker and wingers. Not, CDK’s cup of tea.
Hope Atalanta buy him and we all move on happily.
LOL. 😀 As random as it gets. And how would you know that? Your football knowledge is negligible. Did he play 20 matches as a single striker at a club?
Indeed, I’ve examined Brugge’s fixture list in his final season there, but I think Gasperini’s system also contributes. Note that for the second half of his final season at Brugge, they employed a 3-5-2, and that in the games that he did play in a 4-3-3, 4-1-4-1 or similar formations where he was the lone striker he did not score as much, and often wasn’t even the striker. He did score a few games in 4-3-3 right before the switch to 3-5-2. Also note, it was in Belgium. If it is Pioli’s “fault”, then good, more fuel for the fire because I want Pioli gone either way.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
He played 142 minutes a striker at Milan. That is it. Your nonsense is just your nonsense.
That 142 was enough to prove he’s not cut out to be the lonely striker.