Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco has shared his thoughts on Charles De Ketelaere’s initial move to AC Milan which became a very disappointing season.
Speaking during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Radio Rossonera), he explained that the player would have known what he was getting himself when signing for a club like Milan.
What Tedesco is alluding to is the added pressure and scrutiny that comes with playing for a club the size of Milan, compared to Club Brugge where he came from.
When asked if he is surprised at how well De Ketelaere has done since being loaned to Atalanta, Tedesco said: “Yes and no. I know well what Charles is capable of. He came from a difficult season in which he didn’t play and never found consistency. San Siro is a fantastic stadium, but a great challenge for a new player. If you sign for a club of a certain level you know what you’re getting into.”
De Ketelaere is expected to stay at Atalanta on a permanent basis after such a good season on loan, which will allow Milan to recoup most of the money they spent on the Belgian.
Tedesco is one of the many names that has been linked with the Milan job in recent weeks as Stefano Pioli could soon be moved on.
He is viewed as one of the outsiders given he still has to navigate Euro 2024 with Belgium before he can change jobs, and when asked about the rumours he said: “I won’t deny that I like Italian football and that I grew up with it. I don’t comment on transfer rumours, because there are too many, I wouldn’t know where to start and where to end.”
It’s not out of the question that under different coach, CDK actually develops at Milan. Provided, you know, that he is not forced to play out of position…
it’s not out of the question that CDK would actually have developed under Pioli if he was given another season to get used to Serie A.
Giving up on a 21 year old after 1 season, even if they had a terrible season, is the most narrow sighted thing a team can do. Making decisions like that wreak of incompetence.
Talent was clear to see but he played in Belgium and then came to the title holders.
Pioli didn’t use him in the right position at all. And he didn’t have the luxury to keep trying play him with CDK not delivering.
Different folks, different strokes. CDK needed that Atalanta stint.
“He came from a difficult season in which he didn’t play and never found consistency.” 40 games 0 goals 1 assist okafor 25 games 6 goals 2 assists… who’s fault is it?
Poli. Poli openly prefer a real Madrid loanee. Silly to play a loanee more often than your own.
Andrea Poli?
Ok, and you didn’t address the “40 games 0 goals 1 assist okafor 25 games 6 goals 2 assists” part. Okafor isn’t starting either. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Okafor being thrown in the box when we are attacking with full force chasing a result. CDK gets minutes only when the game is practically over and as a AM playing outside of the box. That kind of affects the goal stats a lot.
Of course, nobody ever talks about how Atalanta use a two-striker system, how we don’t and how that surely has had an impact.
His best position are SS in 352. ACM not using 352 . It is not coach pioli mistake . You cannot change whole formation from 433 / 4231 to 352 just for one kid . The question : why buy him if you need AMF & RW starter quality , there is miscomunication last season between coach , scout team and management for this kid
Well said. Why was he bought? For what position?
Top level players need to be adaptable and take the chances they get, regardless of position or system
Sure SS suits him well but its not like its a huge leap to play striker or AM or even on the wing.
He had lots of games but mentally could not cope. I still see that now in him. He is not a kid anymore. He needs to toughen up. He should stay at Atalanta
The idea that “he didn’t play” is completely bogus. He played in 40 games. FORTY!!!! He was given opportunity after opportunity; lots of, including starts and entire halves of games. And he couldn’t perform, at all. He was a traffic cone, and a weak-minded one. Out of position? Great players adapt to different positions. Pulisic for example can play RW, LW, and CAM. I say about CDK, good riddance. Stay happy at Atalanta, CDK, and stay away from my AC Milan! I’m happy that we will recover most of the money spent on a player that was completely useless (just think of it: his stats were worse than Origi’s!!!) and didn’t fit in our system (and still doesn’t). This CDK laments by certain fans must stop. Forget about him; in a few weeks he will no longer belong to AC Milan, thankfully.