The Belgian spoke from his national team’s camp: “Too much pressure with the Rossoneri shirt, at Atalanta, I can have the rebirth I want.”
Charles De Ketelaere was Milan’s the object of desire in the summer of 2022. He was acquired for €31m plus bonuses after a marathon negotiation with Bruges. He had a good debut in his first start at San Siro against Bologna; it seemed like the beginning of a bright season, but those flashes in the Milan jersey remained the only highlights.
Ever after, Charles remained in the shadows for the whole season in which he made 40 appearances and didn’t score a single goal. Twelve months later, the transfer to Atalanta took place: an expensive loan deal with an option to buy set at over €20m.
The goal he had sought in vain at Milan arrived in his first appearance in the Nerazzurri jersey. And on the third matchday of the season, he provided his first assist. This was enough to regain a spot in the Belgian national team where he is on the list of the German coach (Tedesco) for the upcoming matches against Azerbaijan and Estonia on September 9th and 12th. It is here, from the national team camp, that De Ketelaere tells his story.
“When you arrive in a new place, there is a lot to do. Adapting to the country, the playing system, the language. But of course, if it didn’t work at Milan, it was my fault too:
It wasn’t the season I expected there, but I don’t regret it. I didn’t reach any high level, and coming on as a substitute, as often happened to me, didn’t help me at all. I feel better when I’m on the field for a longer period of time and can really get into the flow of a game. The criticisms did the rest even though I don’t always read the newspapers; I try to isolate myself. But you still hear them, and you can’t remain indifferent.
NEW CHALLENGE— It was necessary to seek a new challenge: “Did Milan suggest that I leave? Partly, yes. But I also knew that I would have little space. There were transfer negotiations all summer. I wondered: do I wait for my chance, even if I play a little less? Or do I go to another team to test myself?
The second option made me feel better. Atalanta even more. I really wanted Atalanta, It’s not that I didn’t want to go to PSV or other teams; I just decided Atalanta was the right step for me.Here, I’m playing higher up, closer to the goal; this way, I can become the best version of myself again.
Nevertheless, CDK remains grateful to Milan: “I learned a lot, and tactically, I have more experience, overall, I know I have become a better player there.”
