Charles De Ketelaere has some work to do if he is to reverse the hierarchies and becoming the starting playmaker for Milan, a report claims.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews) writes that when De Ketelaere landed in Milan one evening at the end of July, what was thought was that the Belgian would become the new attacking midfielder, given the amount invested after a long negotiation.
However, things have not gone as planned and he is now the deputy to Brahim Diaz for the time being, given the Spaniard is now in his third season at the clubs and has made more contribution so far.
A big part of the decision to favour Brahim was the fact that Milan were in a total crisis at the start of 2023 and Pioli had no time for experiments. Brahim proved to be more ready and more consistent, as he also showed on Tuesday against Tottenham.
However, there is also the knowledge that Milan have paid €35m for a back-up and Pioli needs to do everything possible to help him blossom. The head coach has no intention of using him as a striker except in extreme situations, but a false nine is something he could do.
De Ketelaere is currently suffering from low confidence but the good thing for him is that the entire club are behind him. The eloquent image was that of Rafael Leao who went to embrace and console his partner after the miss against Tottenham, whispering in his ear: “He’s coming, brother.”
Paolo Maldini has always defended him and Pioli too, which is why the idea of CDK being loaned out or sold is currently unfathomable, while everyone hopes a turning point comes soon.
That’s a strange thing to whisper in his ear😂
😀 😀 😀
Flop
you’re a flop
You are blind to call CDK a flop. It’s Pioli’s tactics, for example putting him in the position of a striker, which CDK is not good at, that makes it hard for CDK to shine. He has got vision and intelligence that a lot of current Milan players do not have and this Milan urgently need.
Hope Pioli could give up his stubbornness and put CDK in a position where he can distribute the balls around the field to release the attacks.
You’re calling him a flop already?? Do you know who pioli is when it comes to developing young talent? Pioli’s methods of developing young talent are slow but steady, I mean the players who blossomed immediately are mostly the already well established players like Giroud, Ibra and Mike, the rest took well over a year or two to do the same…as long as pioli is out coach, why don’t you play the waiting game and if CDK isn’t running the show in 365 days from now… Call him a flop all you want.
This guy is going to be a big start one day, hopefully at Milan.. confidence is what he needs.
Obviously I meant Star 🙂