De Ketelaere: ‘No Milan regret, but I have improved with Atalanta’ | OneFootball

Charles De Ketelaere insists he ‘doesn’t regret’ joining Milan in 2022, but feels he has ‘improved as a player’ with Atalanta and Belgium.

The Belgium international has been occasionally used as a False 9 for his club this season and seems to be employed there at international level too, especially after Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku’s notorious injury problems.

“That is how the coach likes to use me. I also feel good in that role, I think I did well, especially because we are a team with many attackers and midfielders who like to play football,” De Ketelaere told Nieuwsblad.

“Romelu remains the number one, of course. He is super important and has already meant a lot to the national team. Look at the number of goals he has scored; that is impressive. I also have a lot of respect for him as a person off the pitch.

“He is the first-choice striker anyway, but I think I seized my opportunity in his absence. I scored twice against Liechtenstein. So things are going well there too.”

Difficult season for De Ketelaere

BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Torino FC at Gewiss Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

De Ketelaere had been out of action for over a month with meniscus damage in the knee, but confirms he recovered ahead of schedule.

He had not originally been lined up for these friendly tests, but was able to accept the call from Belgium.

The player has contributed five goals and five assists for Atalanta so far this season, but maintains the statistics don’t show the whole picture.

“I might’ve scored slightly less than last season, but I really do feel that I’m playing much better. I know that sounds contradictory, but I do feel that I am more important to the team now.”

BOLOGNA, ITALY – JANUARY 07: Martin Vitik of Bologna battles for possession with Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Atalanta BC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on January 07, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Part of that is the change of management, as after Gian Piero Gasperini left Atalanta, there was a brief spell under Ivan Juric, before flourishing with Raffaele Palladino.

“Gasperini often substitutes his strikers after 60 minutes, but now I play more and I feel that I have grown as a player.”

De Ketelaere first came to Italy for Milan at a cost of €37.5m plus bonuses from Club Brugge in 2022 and struggled, so after just one year he went to Atalanta.

“I still don’t regret that move from Club Brugge to Milan. Perhaps I should’ve had more self-confidence, but I have learned that in the meantime,” continued the Belgian.

“The style of play with Atalanta helped me in my development. I think my qualities come to the fore best in a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2.

“I enjoy being at Atalanta. I am super happy there and still have some time left on my contract. Sometimes you have to cherish what you have.”

BERGAMO, ITALY – OCTOBER 22: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta BC is challenged by Jan Boril of Slavia Praha during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and SK Slavia Praha at Stadio di Bergamo on October 22, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

They were the only Italian team to make it into the Champions League Round of 16, even if they were hammered 10-2 on aggregate by Bayern Munich.

“Bayern made us play badly. I’ve faced many top European teams with Atalanta, including Real Madrid, and always felt something was possible, that we had the chances to score and win.

“I never felt that with Bayern Munich. Their level was so high, when we tried to press them, it actually played to their advantage. Total football is the right description, they are in my view the favourites to win the Champions League,” concluded De Ketelaere.