AC Milan forward Charles De Ketelaere has now gone a year without a goal as his struggles to regain momentum continue, a report claims.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews) recall the words of Zlatan Ibrahimovic on De Ketelaere: “When he unlocks he will be off.” The Swede also noticed the talent of the Belgian attacking midfielder, who has now been without a goal since 1 April 2022 when he scored a tap-in for Club Brugge against Beerschot on the penultimate day of the Pro League season.
Against Napoli on April 2 it will be past a year and will begin from a total of 1781 minutes without scoring. Stefano Pioli tried to give Charles a jolt after he had disappointed as a playmaker in the 4-2-3-1 formation, playing him as more of a second striker, but without any real positive signals.
The possible return to a 4-2-3-1 formation could put De Ketelaere more in his comfort zone, picking up possession and creating but also getting his name on the scoresheet as Brahim Diaz, Franck Kessie and before them Hakan Calhanoglu did from the No.10 role.
The 22-year-old has never been a 20-goal-per-season striker, but he earned his €35m move to Milan through being decisive and Pioli hopes he will soon turn a corner.
What change of formation? It’s not about formation and where he plays in the field. It’s all about mentality.
Just we forgot. We gave couple of years to Rafael Leao. In that time Rebic played well on left winger. But Milan gave Leao big opportunity. Than Brahim Diaz. He had 3 years to become player on current level, when many clubs want him. And than Sandro Tonali, at least 2 years needed for him. Only Maignan, Tomori, Kalulu bring immediately result.