Charles De Ketelaere was honest when reflecting on his first season with Milan, explaining why he’s struggled to show his best in Serie A.
The 22-year-old Belgian trequartista was the focus of the Rossoneri’s efforts in last summer’s transfer window and they eventually managed to secure his signature after paying Club Brugge €32m.
Unfortunately for Milan, De Ketelaere has not lived up to expectations this season, providing just one assist across 31 appearances and looking a shadow of the player that light up Bruges.
Speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws, De Ketelaere first discussed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“It was a big disappointment for me personally, I only played 15 minutes, but I am more disappointed for the country and the fans. I’ve never been a person who only thinks about himself but always about the team he plays for.”
He looked back at his first season with Milan.
“Disappointing, indeed negative. They certainly weren’t my expectations. After an excellent season with Club Brugge and after moving to Milan, which I don’t regret, I hoped to be more important than I have been so far.”
The 22-year-old was asked why this was the case.
“There are many reasons. One is the environment, a higher level of football, adapting to so many things. Life off the pitch.”
De Ketelaere touched on his performance in his debut against Bologna.
“Strangely enough, I don’t think that my performance in that match was so much better than in another match where I was described as poor, and that was only because I gave an assist in my debut match.
“Anyway, I judge my performance in a different way than people or the press. I try to look more at the technical side and so I try to improve the next game.”
The Milan trequartista commented on the various criticisms levied against him.
“I admit that one way or another I get those comments, but I’ve never focused on criticism. At Bruges I received a lot of them, both positive and negative. At Milan the comments were positive in the beginning and then became negative.
“I will never let myself get carried away by negative criticism just as I won’t let it go to my head if it turns positive one day. Many teammates advised me not to read the newspapers so I didn’t even know about that headline ‘The Prince of San Siro’.”
He spoke about the support he’s received from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Rafael Leao and Kaka.
“I certainly feel and appreciate the affection and support of my teammates, but I don’t want to remain in this situation all the time, I want to show that I’m hungry and that I live for football and to perform well.
“I don’t want it to become a problem… If we were to believe the media, it seems that every day I arrive at Milanello crying!”
The 22-year-old discussed some of the changes he’s made since joining the club.
“Yes, it’s true, I think lately I’m taking care of my body more in a professional way. Before and after training I take more care, more than in my Club Brugge days, and that makes me feel better. I work out a lot more, I’m careful with my food.”
He was asked if he still had confidence in himself.
“Certainly, in fact I have the impression that I have improved a little since I left Belgium.”
He spoke about the differences between Belgian and Italian football.
“The level is higher and there is a higher intensity. It is more difficult to get into the opponent’s penalty area.
“The game is more tactical, you have to be more concentrated during the match. Even during training, we are more concerned with tactics than we were in Belgium.”
De Ketelaere touched on his relationship with Milan director Paolo Maldini.
“He is very close to the team, and I have a very good relationship with him as I do with the other players, by the way.
“We talk to each other and he makes me feel his trust. He is a person who represents Milan and Milan is too important for Maldini.”
The 22-year-old gave his thoughts on the Milan dressing room.
“I think we have an extraordinary squad and that is also one of the reasons why they won the Scudetto last season. We are a very united dressing room.”
He was asked if he felt pressure when coming on as a substitute.
“Not so much. I don’t see it that way, I judge myself in the overall training, the preparation for the games, the match minutes, that’s how I feel the pressure, but of course I always want to give my best.”
Finally, De Ketelaere discussed how long he has to show his qualities at Milan.
“I don’t set myself a period. I’ll try to finish the season by working as hard as I can every day and then manage to get a starting place. For the moment I’m not thinking about anything else.”