It was a moment which epitomised the new-found confidence flowing through Charles de Ketelaere’s veins. During his brief and unhappy time at AC Milan, the balletic Belgian may have opted to do the simple thing, controlling the ball with his back to goal before rolling it back into midfield.
But this is a new Charles de Ketelaere, in a new team, and boasting a new lease of life.
With barely a second thought, Atalanta’s summer signing flicked the ball up in the air and struck a picture-perfect volley into the top corner. A finish so sublime, so effortless, that would not look out of place amongst the very best efforts of Francesco Totti or Paulo di Canio.
Charles de Ketelaere hits top form again
“He is one of the best talents that Belgium has produced in recent years, very simply,” Georges Leekens, who coached the Rote Duivels in the 1998 World Cup, tells Sport Italia.
“(Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini) has restored his confidence. At Milan, he doubted himself and you no longer saw him smile. Now, he often smiles on the pitch. He has fun, he believes in himself.
“From here on, he has no limits. After this experience at Atalanta, he is more ready to play at a high level and I’m sure that in the future he can take another step forward, towards great teams.”
Only two months ago, De Ketelaere was on a run of two goals in 57 games. A staggeringly poor return from a man who, had Milan not thrown their hat into the ring, may have become the most expensive signing in Leeds United’s history, the Yorkshire outfit’s £35 million bid during the summer of 2022 becoming public knowledge thanks to De Ketelaere’s former Club Brugge president Vincent Mannaert.
Flash forward to mid-February, however, and that Puskas-baiting Genoa wonderstrike is now De Ketelaere’s eighth in his last ten games. Add in four assists since the 3-2 win over his former employers AC Milan before Christmas, and you’ve got a player who, in the space of just half a season at Atalanta, has climbed all the way from rock bottom to the top of the mountain again.
Atalanta star showing why Leeds United wanted him
This is the Charles de Ketelaere Leeds were willing to break the bank for. This is the Charles de Ketelaere who had Milan thinking they had signed European football’s next big thing.
“The wonder of Brahim Diaz with the Real Madrid shirt in the Champions League, the constant growth of De Ketelaere with Atalanta, the increasingly decisive role of (Hakan) Calhanoglu at league leaders Inter…” sighs Arrigo Sacchi, the legendary manager who guided the Rossoneri to two European Cups (Gazzetta dello Sport).
“Three reasons for regret for Milan, there is no doubt about this.
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