AC Milan playmaker Charles De Ketelaere has spoken about his relationship with Paolo Maldini and his team-mates amid his struggles so far this season.
De Ketelaere is currently on duty with the Belgian national team and he gave a long interview to Het Laatste Nieuws in which he discussed a number of topics from the reason for his struggles to playing in Serie A.
As part of it he spoke about his relationship with Maldini, the technical director of Milan and the man who negotiated for weeks with the sole intention of making him the big signing of the post-Scudetto 2022 summer window.
“He is very close to the team and I have an excellent relationship with him as I have with the rest of the players. We talk to each other [in Italian] and he makes me feel his trust. He is a person who represents Milan and Milan and is too important for Maldini,” he said (via SempreMilan.it).
The 22-year-old was also asked what it means to have received public praise and encouragement from a number of important people such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kaka and a player who understands the pressures of a first season in Rafael Leao.
“I certainly feel and appreciate the affection and support of my team-mates, but I don’t want it to remain that way. I would like to show that I’m hungry and that I live for football and good performances. If I were to believe the media it seems that every day I arrive at Milanello crying (laughs).”