GdS: De Ketelaere could be used as a centre-forward by Pioli – the precedent at Brugge

By Oliver Fisher -

The selection difficulties could see Stefano Pioli deploy Charles De Ketelaere as the man leading the line at some stage in the coming games, and he is not unfamiliar with the role.

La Gazzetta dello Sport recall how Pioli was asked about the idea of playing De Ketelaere as a striker during the Dubai camp, responding: “It’s possible even from the next games, thinking about the types of opponents we will meet. We will find many defences lined up with five, not giving reference points could be the solution and he has these qualities.”

Pioli has already used the Belgian up front during in-game situations when Olivier Giroud wasn’t looking sharp, and given that Divock Origi is injured while Giroud will be back from his post World Cup vacation on January 30, it could become a more concrete solution as early as the game against Salernitana.

Looking at the areas of the pitch where De Ketelaere touched the ball last season across the league and the Champions League, it shows that he is very much capable of filling the area by playing close to the goal, and his return of 18 goals in 2021-22 shows it.

The 21-year-old had the most shots (79), the most shots on target (32) and the most chances created (71) in the 2021-22 Belgian league for Club Brugge, and yet for Milan he only has two shots on target in total.

2021-22 season at Bruges: De Ketelaere's touches for the area in the league and in the Champions League.  Opt

There are many who argue that De Ketelaere merely needed a goal or a splendid assist to take some pressure off his shoulders and to begin to perform, moments which are certainly more likely to happen when closer to the opposing goal.

Tags AC Milan Charles De Ketelaere

1 Comment

  1. He was completele useless on the as cam and in the right maybe he will be more lucky as attacker he is tall after all its enoght to get a few headers

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