Charles De Ketelaere will obviously be given ample patience, but Stefano Pioli is hoping that the Belgian’s form explodes between now at the World Cup.
Corriere dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) talks about how De Ketelaere has had some growing pains which were always par for the course following his big money move from Club Brugge to Milan, but he appeared to improve in particular during the last game before the break against Napoli as he had a big hand in Olivier Giroud’s equaliser.
During that particular match, the 21-year-old showed a greater tactical understanding too as he was not just more confident and incisive on the ball but he also disturbed arguably the main source of Spalletti’s machine: Stanislav Lobotka.
However, the return has still not been much compared to the expectations that had arisen with De Ketelaere’s arrival. Of course he is very young and it is a whole new club and country to adapt to though, so nobody at the club is putting any pressure on.
What is surprising is that he has not yet managed a shot on target despite scoring 18 goals last season with Brugge, but Pioli has put him closer to the goal – almost as a second striker – with the hopes he will become decisive.
On his debut against Bologna he certainly gave a very good impression but since then things have been more sporadic. CDK is working hard to adapt to the rhythms of Italian football, and the games against Chelsea in the Champions League and the one against Juventus in the league could be a perfect launching pad.
