There were many positive notes for AC Milan during their 4-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb last night but unfortunately Charles De Ketelaere’s name is not on that list.
Franco Ordine’s article for Corriere dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) focuses on De Ketelaere and the fact he played just 52 minutes at the Stadion Maksimir before being replaced by Rade Krunić after being yellow carded earlier in the second half.
The game started well for him with a couple of exquisite touches to start attacking moves, but he then however began a slow descent until the yellow card he got at the start of the second half and the almost instant withdrawal.
“The official explanation is as follows: you have to leave him all the time necessary to memorise the game mechanisms, better understand Italian football and the needs of Milan compared to those of the Belgian tournament and Bruges, complete the transition from another country, another language, another football,” Ordine writes.
“The most pertinent explanation is perhaps that of the experts. And it concerns the psychological aspect, which is a fundamental detail.”
De Ketelaere is perhaps suffering from the €35m price tag attached to his name after the long and tormented negotiation, plus the uncomfortable and demanding comparison with Ricardo Kaká.
Without wanting to fuel the unrealistic Kaka comparison, it took the Brazilian 2-3 months to get a permanent starting spot at Milan, eventually winning the battle with Rui Costa.
Pioli can currently rely on Brahim Díaz who is a match-winner on his day, plus the explosive quality of Rafael Leão and the work rate of Rade Krunić to fill the gaps until the World Cup, which means De Ketelaere does have time to adjust but time ‘will inevitably begin to run out and he will be called to wake up’.
Kaka and Rui Costa are a million billion times better than Diaz and CDK.
No need for comparisons at all if it’s weighing down on the young Belgian. We all hoping that, like Leao, he’ll see rapid improvement in his 2nd/3rd season.
The worry is he will instead be another Paqueta and the management gives up on him before he can really blossom.
People got to relax with this kid. He is a shy person by all accounts, and he was a Belgian boy living with his mother while playing for Club Brugge even last season.
We would like for him to instantly be at his best, but it’s simply not going to happen. He’s going through a massive life transition at this moment which everyone should be able to relate to. Now the option is either to continue to pile pressure on him and possibly permanently damage his psyche during this period, or to just try to create the best conditions possible for him to thrive when he is ready.
The transfer fee is already paid, the contracts are all signed, so there’s no point in the supporters/media doing anything other than what will give the best chance of him playing well and therefore Milan benefitting in the end.
I was surprised at how many ppl commented on the player rating posts already declaring him a bust. It’s like they’ve learned nothing from the past (or were not Milan fans back in the bad days). One of the big issues during the down years was how quickly the team gave up on young players only to watch the develop into good players.
I hope Milan still be patient, don’t do mistakes like Chelsea sells De Bruyne then boom, most completed midfielder this era now.
Hey guys everyone should leave this lad to rest his time will come because he’s new
Leao and Tonali had same problem when they joined
CKD will bounce back
I love him
“People got to relax with this kid. He is a shy person by all accounts, and he was a Belgian boy living with his mother while playing for Club Brugge even last season.”
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That’s exactly what I’ve been saying from the beginning.
Besides, that’s right, he’s not Kaká, he’s not Rui Costa, he’s not De Bruyne or any other player: the guy’s name is Charles De Ketelaere, and it’s exactly like Charles De Ketelaere that his talent will emerge at Milan and bring many joys. for us.
ONE.MUST.BE.FVCKIN’.PATIENT.
“The transfer fee is already paid, the contracts are all signed, so there’s no point in the supporters/media doing anything other than what will give the best chance of him playing well and therefore Milan benefitting in the end.”
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How good it is once in a while to read a lucid and wise remark…
Yeah he has evertything it takes to be a super star, besides his muscle and mentality. Once it’s shaped then pow.
Fellow Diavolo is about time we put a stop to the pressure we mount on young lads who have the talents and prospects to grow into better players. CDK is a young chap with great prospects can’t we see it in his touches what about the exquisite passes he has given to team mates and they couldn’t score. Let’s not be like the EPL pundits. CDK is a good player and we need to be patient with him. We have examples in the likes of TONALI LEAO…if hadn’t been patient will be chanting their names now. What didn’t we say PIOLI….come on guyz CDK will explode for us.
CDK you’ve got our support.
I believe there’s language barrier, plus kid is a shy person. With time he’d come good. Aside Kalulu there’s no other young player who fit into this team almost immediately. Even Kessie had just 2 good seasons in 5, so people should keep calm.
One day CDK will explode and all the haters will disappear… just needs the spark
Please give this boy time,,there is. No need to put pressure he very young let given him our support,he has a lots off talent.time will tell