Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has revealed his belief that AC Milan did not make a mistake by signing Charles De Ketelaere, insisting he will get his ‘maximum trust’.
The Belgian playmaker was Milan’s marquee signing in the summer transfer window after the Scudetto win, arriving from Club Brugge for over €30m, but he never really got going in his first season with the Rossoneri and failed to score a goal.
De Ketelaere is enjoying a new lease of life with Atalanta, who he joined on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy. After scoring on his debut he got his first assist of the new campaign last night, setting up Ederson for the opening goal en route to a comfortably victory.
Gasperini spoke after Atalanta’s 3-0 win over Monza at the Gewiss Stadium last night and he was asked specifically about how he has integrated Gianluca Scamacca and De Ketelaere specifically.
“It’s important for me to get to know them too, to make them play. They had the condition to play, I liked them this evening,” he said (via Radio Rossonera).
“Then there are other components, it will probably be a different Atalanta. This year we have the opportunity to raise the ball against closed teams. We have a few more variables.
“Last year De Ketelaere was sought after by half of Europe, it’s not that Milan made a mistake in buying players. He’s had a difficult season but he’s coming off a year with a very strong coach and a great club. Here he will find maximum trust, because we believe in him so much.”
