Milan aim to revive Charles De Ketelaer’s career at San Siro with Stefano Pioli confirming the Belgian starlet will also be used as a centre forward in the second part of the campaign.
De Ketelaere was Milan’s big summer signing, but the Belgian starlet has failed to justify his €35m price tag, producing just one assist in 18 appearances and ultimately losing his starting spot to Brahim Diaz or Rade Krunic.
Milan coach Stefano Pioli and director Paolo Maldini have reiterated that they are in no hurry, knowing that it takes time to adapt to a new culture and a new, big club, especially for a young player. It is no surprise given that both Sandro Tonali and Rafael Leao had a disappointing debut season at Milan, but they continued to feel the club’s trust, showing steady improvements in the following years.
Pioli will make a step towards the 21-year-old, changing his role in some games in the second part of the campaign. De Ketelaere was signed to become Milan’s new ‘No.10’ the attacking midfielder playing behind a classic centre forward. However, during his time at Club Brugge, CDK scored 16 goals in 48 games playing as a centre forward, a role that he sometimes also covers with his national team.
During his latest interview with Gazzetta, Pioli confirmed that he would try De Ketelaere in attack, especially against teams that defend with five players, trying not to give reference points to his opponents.
This could mean that the new opportunity to shine may be just around the corner for De Ketelaere, given that Ante Rebic is the only centre forward currently available. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Divock Origi are injured, and Oliver Giroud will be back at the end of the month after playing the World Cup Final for France.
Milan’s next opponent Salernitana use a 3-5-2 formation which becomes 5-3-2 when the team is defending. Either, a good or bad performance won’t determine the success of De Ketelaere’s spell at Milan, but the chance of playing in a new role will surely give the Belgian starlet more chances to prove doubters wrong.
Well, its good for Charles and for Milan. Hopefully he can shine in second part
Bad idea. He always looks lost as a center-forward. I mean, more lost than when he plays as an attacking-midfielder.
I think their 3-5-2 becomes more of a 5-5-0
Milan needs a reliable center forward, not another experiment. Keep playing him as a 10 so he can get more reps and get comfortable with it.
Mr pioli no time for any experiment let him play his normal role at least he can get use to gradually games are now at crucial point
Calling Leeds utd earlier for there man,not my Milan, 35m waste