Interviewed by Het Laatste Nieuws, Charles De Ketelaere talked about his experience at AC Milan so far. Here are his words:
Tedesco (Belgium coach) said that it's good for you to take a break from Milan and be with the national team...
"Yes, in a way it's true, but I don't want to see it that way because otherwise it might seem like I don't like being at Milan. And that's absolutely not the case."
Does this call-up give you confidence?
"I'm really happy to have this opportunity to show what I can do and improve by playing for the national team."
On the World Cup experience?
"It was a big disappointment for me personally - I only played for 15 minutes - but I'm more disappointed for the nation and the fans. I've never been a person who only thinks about himself, but always about the team he plays for."
On the first few months at Milan...
"Disappointing, even negative. They certainly weren't my expectations. After a great season with Brugge and after the transfer to Milan, which I don't regret, I hoped to be more important than I have been so far."
Is there a reason?
"There are many reasons. One is the environment, a higher level of football, adapting to many things. Life outside the field."
Positive start with the assist against Bologna, what happened next?
"Strangely, I don't think my performance in that game was so much better than in another game where they described me as poor, and that was only because I made an assist in the debut game. Anyway, I judge my performance in a different way than people or the press. I try to look more at the technical side and so I try to improve in the next game."
On criticism...
"I admit that those comments somehow reach me, but I've never focused on criticism. At Bruges, I received a lot, both positive and negative. At Milan, the comments were initially positive and then became negative. I will never be swayed by negative criticism, just as I won't get carried away if the situation turns positive one day. Many teammates advised me not to read the newspapers, so I didn't even know about that headline 'The Prince of San Siro'."
De Ketelaere on the appreciation came from Ibra, Leao, and Kaká.
"I certainly feel and appreciate the affection and support of my teammates, but I don't want to always remain in this situation: I want to show that I'm hungry and that I live for football and to perform well. I don't want it to become a problem... If we were to believe the media, it seems like I arrive at Milanello crying every day (laughs)."
Are you changing?
"Yes, it's true, I think lately I'm taking care of my body more professionally. Before and after training, I take better care, more than during my time at Bruges, and this makes me feel better. I do a lot more gym work and I'm careful about my food."
De Ketelaere on adaptation...
"I don't want to give the impression that this is the reason for my negative performances, I believe that, as already mentioned, there are various reasons."
Do you have confidence in yourself?
"Definitely, in fact, I have the impression that I have improved a bit since I left Belgium."
On the difference between the Belgian and Italian leagues:
"The level is higher, and there is a higher intensity. It's more difficult to enter the opponent's penalty area. The game is more tactical, and you have to be more focused during the match. Even during training, we focus more on tactics than what we did in Belgium."
De Ketelaere the relationship with Paolo Maldini:
"He is very close to the team, and I have an excellent relationship with him, as he does with the other players. We talk (in Italian), and he makes me feel his confidence. He is a person who represents Milan, and Milan is too important for Maldini."
On the difference between the Bruges and Milan locker rooms:
"Maybe the characters and the interpreters change, but in the end, they are always people who love playing football at a higher level and with different qualities."
On the red and black locker room:
"I think we have an extraordinary group, and it is also one of the reasons why they won the Scudetto last season. We are a very united locker room."
Do you worry about statistics?
"They matter, but I think you have to play before thinking about statistics."
Do you regret not having scored or made an assist?
"Of course, it doesn't make sense to say otherwise."
Do you think you have matured in these months and made progress?
"Yes, I consider myself more mature as a person, but I have no concrete examples. Everything has happened in a natural way. I have also found more peace in myself. I am aware of what I can do and don't let myself be carried away by emotions."
If entering 15 minutes before the end puts pressure.
"Not too much. I don't see it that way. I judge myself in the overall context of the training, the preparation for the matches, the playing time: that's how I divide the pressure, but of course, I always want to give my best."
De Ketelaere, how do you see your role on the national team?
"The national team is always the result of what you do in your own club team. If I can become important for Milan, I will be important for the national team too."
How much time do you give yourself at Milan?
"I haven't set a timeframe for myself. I try to finish the season by working as hard as possible every day and then try to get a starting position. For the moment, I am not thinking about anything else."
