Mancini urges Milan to be patient with De Ketelaere: "Think of De Bruyne at Chelsea"

Italy boss Roberto Mancini believes that AC Milan need to be patient with Charles De Ketelaere, recalling the difficulties that Kevin De Bruyne had in his young career.

The start to the season that De Ketelaere has had has not been ideal, with just one assist and no goals to his name so far. His adaptation has not been without struggles since his summer arrival from Club Brugge in a deal worth over €30m.

However, at the age of just 22 and with a new league and a new country to get used to, the feeling is that the Belgian just needs a moment to click into gear and begin finding his confidence again.

Mancini spoke during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport and was asked for his thoughts on Milan, and whether they have what it takes to overhaul Napoli in the Scudetto race, with his comments relayed by SempreMilan.it.

“The pursuers are all close to each other and all can catch Napoli. But they have to run hard and fast,” he began.

“De Ketelaere? He’s very strong. But he’s young, so he needs time, and he’s a Belgian, he needs to settle in. Think of De Bruyne at Chelsea: he looked like he didn’t know how to play the ball.

“Giroud plays well and makes the team play well: if he were to have a problem, it wouldn’t be easy. Even if the best version of Origi can replace him.”