‘Clearly not a Mr. Nobody’ – Sacchi believes Milan made mistake with De Ketelaere | OneFootball

Arrigo Sacchi has credited Gian Piero Gasperini with his role in Charles De Ketelaere’s resurgence, but believes AC Milan made a mistake letting him go.

After signing for over €30m from Club Brugge in the 2022 summer window, De Ketelaere was offloaded a year later following a disappointing first campaign in which he failed to score even a single goal.

The ‘solution’ turned out to be a move to rivals Atalanta. La Dea swooped, sensing that there was a player in there ready to take flight again, and they secured a €3m loan plus a €22m option to buy and €4m in bonuses.

They were able to defer the payment and will now recover the expense with interest, because he is worth over €40m as per reports circulating. A year on from that operation Milan were rushing to get done, there may be a sense of regret.

Sacchi gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of Atalanta’s trip to face Lazio tomorrow night and he comments on De Ketelaere, who has exploded again this season.

“He was clearly not a Mr. Nobody as those at Milan thought when they sold him, and in his growth I see Gasperini’s hand,” he said (via MilanNews).

“He was able to revive a player who has notable qualities, he stimulated him and, when he understood that it was the right time, he placed him at the centre of the project. Gasp believes in playing well, above all else, it is his strength.”