‘I have become more important’: Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere hoping to step up for the Red Devils in Romelu Lukaku’s absence | OneFootball

The Belgian national team are without their leading striker, Romelu Lukaku, for their upcoming friendlies against the USA and Mexico. In his place, Rudi Garcia will have to look elsewhere for goals. Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere hopes he can be the one to step up. In an interview with HLN, the former Club Brugge man spoke of how he has felt more at home with the Red Devils under Garcia, with his role being more defined. Even during his time in Belgian football, De Ketelaere was a Swiss army knife of a forward, used out wide, as a striker or just in behind. This ability to play in multiple positions has always left many wondering where he is best suited.

For himself, De Ketelaere is quite clear. When talking about playing as a striker, like Lukaku does, the 25-year-old said ‘The national coach sees me in that role and it suits me. At Atalanta, I am not playing as a deep striker this season, but rather in the pocket. There, I feel more responsibility to demand the ball and create the game myself. With the Red Devils, you have other players who bring the ball to you, like Kevin De Bruyne. That all feels natural’.

The forward, who has scored five goals in 33 games for the Italian side this season, also spoke of how the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is his first memory of the tournament. In 2022, De Ketelaere barely featured at all under Roberto Martinez, and was also limited to a few minutes under Domenico Tedesco at Euro 2024 in Germany. He hopes that, with a more settled position and a coach that clearly wants to play him, 2026 will be the year he can make his mark at a major tournament for the Red Devils. The Atalanta forward also said ‘I have been a Red Devil for a long time, but never had a decisive role. After the World Cup qualifiers, that feeling changed. I have become more important‘.

De Ketelaere was in great form for Atalanta last season and the season before that. During the 2023/2024 campaign he scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists for the Bergamo side. Last season he again played 50 games, this time scoring 13 goals and dishing out 12 assists.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson