Who can stop Charles De Ketelaere? If Mohamed Salah is currently impressing in His Majesty’s Kingdom, the Belgian attacking midfielder is making the Boot happy. Arriving on loan in August 2023 from Atalanta Bergamo after a more than contrasting experience under the colors of AC Milan, the Red Devil (20 caps, 2 goals) is flying through the start of the 2024 financial year -2025. Sunday, during Dea’s new victory against Empoli (3-2), the native of Bruges offered himself a new masterclass allowing his team to consolidate their first place in the ranking.
After equalizing shortly after the half-hour mark, the 1m92 left-hander finally offered victory to the Bergamo club after a solo performance in the Empoli area (86th). A new little gem for someone who presents absolutely baffling statistics. After 24 matches in all competitions, CDK has totaled 10 goals and 9 assists. As decisive in the championship as on the European scene (3 goals and 4 offerings in the Champions League), the 23-year-old talent is riding an impressive dynamic. To the delight of his trainer, Gian Piero Gasperini.
CDK in a very closed circle
“The second goal is extraordinary, we expected it. He resolved the match, it was difficult and we needed classy action from him.”underlined the Italian technician in particular after the meeting. Having become an essential pawn in the Dea system, the Belgian has also entered a very closed circle in this year 2024. With 20 goals scored and 16 assists, De Ketelaere – who scored his sixth double this year – does so part of the three most decisive players in the 5 major championships. Indeed, only Cole Palmer and Mo Salah managed to do better in 2024.
Praised by the Italian press, like the Gazetta Dello Sport titled “The De Ketelaere Show”, the number 17 of Atalanta has therefore established itself as a reference to his position and is currently considered the best player in Serie A. Just that. Building on the momentum of an already successful 2023-2024 season, De Ketelaere now seems to have definitely taken off. Versatile, much more consistent on a physical level and with a varied register, the elegant left-hander has clearly turned a corner after a year and a half in Bergamo. What will arouse the desires of the competition in the months to come? Difficult, for the moment, to say but in any case we will have to take out the checkbook to afford a player under contract until June 2027 and currently valued at 38 million euros by the specialized site Transfermarkt.
