Charles De Ketelaere has given some interesting background regarding his move to Atalanta in the summer, confirming there were other offers on the table and that AC Milan encouraged him to leave.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
De Ketelaere was Milan’s big signing last summer after the Scudetto win, arriving from Club Brugge in a deal worth over €30m, but he never really hit the heights expected and failed to score a single goal.
An influx of new signings during the most recent mercato in addition to a formation change to a 4-3-3 led to speculation that the Belgian was no longer part of Stefano Pioli’s plans, and sure enough he departed.
On their official website, Milan confirmed that De Ketelaere had joined Atalanta on a season-long loan. The Nerazzurri have an option to buy in their favour too, so they can make the deal permanent. He has started well, with a goal and an assist in three games.
De Ketelaere is currently with the Belgian national team preparing for their 2024 European Championship qualifiers, and he spoke during a press conference about his decision to leave Milan after a year.
“When you arrive in a new place there is a lot to do. Adapt to the country, the game system, the language. But of course, if it didn’t work out at Milan, it was also partly my fault. It wasn’t the season I expected, but I don’t regret it,” he said (via SempreMilan.it).
“I didn’t always reach a high level, and entering the game in progress as often happened to me didn’t help. I’m not an explosive type, I feel better when I’m on the pitch for a longer period of time and can really get into the flow of a game.
“The criticisms did the rest. I don’t always read the newspapers, I try to isolate myself. But you still feel them and you don’t remain indifferent.
“Not having scored was a problem, people ask for goals and assists, they don’t just look at the performance. I learned a lot there, tactically I have more experience. Absolutely so that I have become a better player.
“Did Milan suggest I leave? In part yes. But I also knew that I would have little space. There had been negotiations throughout the summer. I asked myself: do I wait for my chance, do I also stay and play a little less? Or do I go to another team to test myself?
“The second hypothesis made me feel better. Atalanta even more so. I want to show off in the club. It’s not that I didn’t want to go to PSV or other teams, I simply wanted Atalanta.
“Here I am playing higher, closer to the goal, this way I can become the best version of myself again. Last year, however, I was an attacking midfielder.”
