Charles De Ketelaere’s agent Tom De Mul insists Milan trust his client and that ‘difficulties are normal.’
The Belgian starlet was Milan’s most expensive summer signing but has failed to justify his €35m price tag delivering just one assist in 18 appearances with the Serie A champions.
“Patience is needed with De Ketelaere, difficulties are normal with a new language and a new culture, he should not panic,” said his agent Tom De Mul, as quoted by La Gazzetta Dello Sport.
“His development is normal, there could be highs and lows in the first year in a top club. Expectations are high, but Milan made a great move, it took time to finalise the deal, so there is a lot of attention from the media.
“Charles is having a difficult time, but he is working to be successful, that’s his only target.”
CDK was compared to Milan legend Kaka upon his arrival, putting even more pressure on his shoulders.
“Kaka was a champion, but that’s not a comparison one wants to have when joining a new club. However, Stefano Pioli and the club trust him and are serene.
“They knew he’d need time, Milan have had similar experiences with Rafael Leao and Sandro Tonali, but due to expectations, the judgments on the boy were sometimes too harsh.”
Today’s printed edition of La Gazzetta Dello Sport highlights how Milan’s new signings are failing to impress this season, having only produced one goal and two assists across all competitions so far.
Despite his unconvincing start at San Siro, De Ketelaere has earned a call-up to Belgium national team for Qatar 2022.
The 21-year-old has scored one goal in 10 appearances with the Red Devils, making his debut in November 2020. He scored his only goal with the senior Belgium squad in his debut, in a Nations League clash against Italy at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
Bruh as a Milan fan I’m not bothered as much by his struggling form as the media’s are remeber when they thought that Danish or Norwegian kid would have been way better singing for Milan than Leao look where they are now