Charles De Ketelaere continues to be used as a substitute by Stefano Pioli but the change in formation could bring about a transformation in fortunes, a report claims.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report this morning that the game against Empoli could bring about a new chance for De Ketelaere to have a breakthrough performance and light a spark after what has been a disappointing debut season so far.
Pioli has used him in various roles in different formations to try and unlock the talent that is undoubtedly inside, yet the return to the 4-2-3-1 could see the Belgian used in the No.10 role just as he was in his most promising performances early in the campaign.
Given Brahim Diaz came off with discomfort during the win over Napoli it is likely he won’t start on Friday, although it’s nothing to worry about and it could see De Ketelaere get the nod.
Pioli could also opt to play with Bennacer, Tonali and Krunic again and therefore leave the 22-year-old out again, with Saelemaekers on the right.
Pioli has always said he sees De Ketelaere’s best position as being behind the striker, so it seems unlikely that he will get the nod to start on the right, especially given one of Empoli’s best players Parisi plays left-back so extra defensive cover will be needed.
De Ketelaere’s last start was against Fiorentina a month ago, and during the international break he gave an interview during which he demonstrated full awareness of his difficulties and at the same time the conviction of having the qualities to overcome them. Now, he must blossom.
Wasn’t CDK more often on the right at his former club? He can get a chance there as well. He is supposed to be a swiss army knife kind of player and yet he has played in one (barely two) positions so far.
Don’t see much point in using him as a number 10 because in the games he has started there, he is not used by the others as a number 10. I think he needs focus and be given a designated area to perform in.
I see him on the right wing, replacing Diaz for this game, which should give him the chance to create much more definitely than he does in a ‘wandering’ position.
Clearly saelemaekers replaces diaz on the right. Reckon cdk can play on the right too though and replace him later on. Bakayoko shouldnt get a sniff of the pitch. Pobega needs to give krunic,tonali or bennacer a rest. Maybe tonali… Need his energy for napoli. Give origi a start. Rest giroud. Origi didnt do too bad in the last game. Should play pobega like mc tomninay for scotland haha.
When we have Krunic, Bennacer and Tonali on the pitch Milan is playing a 433 formation not 4231.
Diaz plays as a RW and cuts inside to use the space in the middle. This is why our first goal started with Diaz making his move from the RW when he beat 2 Napoli players.
Salaemakers is the obvious replacement for Diaz like we saw in the Napoli game but CDK should be used on the RW also because he is left footed.
Either we stick to a 433 formation and use CDK as at RW or LW so that we can get rid of Rebic and Messias which both need to go regardless.
If not then we need to sell CDK. He will not do well at AM or CF. It’s hopeless playing him there.
We should give Diaz a rest and start Alexis over him. I don’t think the current CDK would be able to do better than any of them as his position is not yet clear in the team. I think he could work well as a false 9 we can give Giroud a rest to prepare for UCL tie against napoli.
I also think this. We have nothing to lose letting CDK lead the line, as Origi is trash. Otherwise maybe Rebic can start as the striker. Also, as stated by Georgeweahwasclass, I think Tonali should get a rest and perhaps we’ll see Pobega. That being said, since it’s “just Empoli”, maybe it will be a bit of all of the above and we’ll see Krunic and Bennacer in the double pivot, with CDK as CAM, Salad on the right and one of Rebic or Origi as ST.
No CDK natural role is 10 but all I’m concerned about is that has Cdk really improved on the ball when is on the pitch