Former AC Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini has urged the Rossoneri to sign Charles De Ketelaere but to not stop there in their quest to strengthen.
Albertini had his say on the potential purchase of De Ketelaere and what he would bring to the team that is currently missing, with his words transcribed by our colleagues at SempreMilan.it.
“The expense is important, if they decide to invest 35 million it means that they have watched him closely. In Pioli’s 4-2-3-1 he can cover several roles, but he is first of all playmaker,” he said.
“He is a potential champion, because he is a modern player of international caliber, and because at 21 he already has more experience in the Champions League than many current Milan players. Milan chose De Ketelaere, but he too chose the Rossoneri: he knows that the project is perfect for him.
“He is not only talented, he knows how to make himself available to the team’s needs and play in many areas of the pitch. I think he has the potential to join the ranks of those greats like De Bruyne or Kroos: different from each other in characteristics, but all capable of giving their best in a game of positional exchanges.”
There have been many comparisons that have been doing the rounds with some likening De Ketelaere to a young Ricardo Kaka but also to Kevin De Bruyne, his compatriot who is now one of the best midfielders in the world, but the key for Albertini is versatility.
“It’s today’s football, in my day Boban was one of the few to interpret it in this way: he was incredibly modern and had extraordinary qualities, this led him to play as a midfielder, as a winger, as an attacking midfielder, always at the highest levels,” he said.
“Here, De Ketelaere is totally different from Boban, but he is as versatile as he was. The tactical path made by Zvone in Milan can be a model, in this sense De Ketelaere can retrace his footsteps. Kaka? Fascinating comparison. But I don’t see much in common, apart from a clean face!”
There continues to be speculation that Milan are working with Chelsea on a deal for Hakim Ziyech too but as a possible alternative to De Ketelaere rather than a complimentary piece, but Albertini urged the Rossoneri to go for him too.
“I’m just saying one thing. Milan have understood where they want to go, in Italy and in Europe. And to win again you need experienced players: I would try [to sign Ziyech], and how.”
