Club Brugge coach on De Ketelaere’s future and behaviour: “There was only one conclusion” | OneFootball

Club Brugge head coach Carl Hoefkens has given some interesting comments amid rumours Charles De Ketelaere appears destined to join AC Milan.

According to multiple sources such as Di Marzio, De Ketelaere is close to becoming a Milan player and the step he took yesterday helped, as the 21-year-old gave up a part of his salary in order to facilitate the negotiations between the two clubs and reach a closure.

Hoefkens spoke at a pre-match press conference ahead of Brugge’s trip to face Eupen on Sunday at 16:00 CEST and he was asked about De Ketelaere’s current situation – given he has not been training for a few days – and the potential of him joining Milan.

“As a coach, I want everyone who is present at the training centre to be able to do their best and give 100% at all times. If there is someone who indicates that they are physically, tactically or mentally unable to go to the maximum, it is my job to face him,” he said (via MilanPress).

“I have to talk to him and see what the situation is like. In this case it was no longer possible for Charles to go to the maximum. He said that he was too mentally affected and that he was afraid of getting injured during training. There was only one conclusion: no more training with the group.”

On his possible transfer: “At the moment there is still nothing official and I only care about the guys who are here.”

On if he is disappointed with De Ketelaere’s behaviour: “No, I have known Charles for a long time and he was closely involved in the project. Sometimes it happens that there are other thoughts, it could be the case now. But I try to avoid it as much as possible and focus on the players who are 100% present.”

On a word of advice for him: “Keep doing the same thing you have done here for a long time.”

It could be that after weeks of varying reports and sources conflicting each other, the soap opera may finally come to an end with De Ketelaere ready to start a new adventure abroad.

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