De Ketelaere responds to idea of Milan return: “I don’t want to end up on the bench again” | OneFootball

Charles De Ketelaere has admitted that his desire is to join Atalanta on a permanent basis in the summer window, because he does not like the idea of returning to AC Milan to be stuck on the bench.

De Ketelaere was Milan’s marquee signing in the 2022 summer transfer window that followed the Scudetto win, but he struggled in his first season at the club with zero goals and just one assist to his name across over 40 appearances.

Thus, the decision was made to send De Ketelaere on loan to Atalanta, giving them the option to buy at the end of the deal.

For most of the season, they have been expected to use it given that he has 10 goals and eight assists to his name. However, a recent report claimed that the playmaker returning to the Rossoneri may not be out of the question.

De Ketelaere spoke during an interview with HLN after the win over Liverpool on Thursday night and his comments have been relayed by Calciomercato.com.

“I’ve learned a lot from the negative season at Milan. It helped me to take steps forward and it will help me more in the future. You can learn a lot from a good season, but you learn even more from seasons that are not so good,” he said.

“I am happy at Atalanta; I’ve found the right environment for me and my playing style, which only Atalanta could give me. We play good football and all the players know what to do. Gasperini is tough but also fair.

“If it were up to me, I’d stay here because I can further improve. Milan are a big club, but I need to play right now and I don’t want to end up on the bench again. Atalanta are helping me, from the staff to my team-mates and the fans who have made me feel at home.”