How Charles De Ketelaere Is Taking Over European Football As One Of The Biggest Talents You Had No Idea About?

The footballing world is filled with talent at the minute. Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer are just a few of the talents dominating the world even at such a young age. However there is a name you may not know much about that is starting to make waves.

Atalanta’s midfield gem, Charles De Ketelaere is well and truly taking over. Putting out incredible performances week in week out of the eyes of many football fans around the world.

But who is he? And why is he the biggest talent that you had no idea about? Well in this article I’ll tell you exactly that.

🇧🇪✨ CRAZY performance from Charles De Ketelaere (23) tonight. 3 assists + 2 goals against Young Boys. He's cooking. 👨‍🍳 pic.twitter.com/DZwc5pP4mm

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) November 26, 2024

Who Is Charles De Ketelaere?

De Ketelaere is a current starter for Atalanta. But where did he come from?

Well he started his career in the youth system at Club Brugge. From the age of seven he was at the club eventually making his senior debut in September 2019. And it wasn’t long until his first UEFA Champions League appearance against PSG a month later.

After such an impressive stint at Club Brugge he would be snapped up by Serie A giants AC Milan. However he struggled to make any real impact at the club despite his 35 million price tag. He only played nine games in his opening season for them.

De Ketelaere would be loaned out to Atalanta in 2023 making a huge impact as the club managed a 4th place finish and a UEFA Europa League triumph. This leading to the club signing him on a permanent deal taking us to where we are now.

Charles De Ketelaere pic.twitter.com/d5K7vwSz8k

— Mohanad 📸🎨 (@MohanadACM) November 26, 2024

What Is So Good About Charles De Ketelaere?

Last night, 26th November 2024, Atalanta continued their UEFA Champions League campaign against Young Boys and came away with a huge 6-1 victory. In the game though De Ketelaere put his name well and truly on the map.

He managed two goals and three assists in the game dominating the play at all times. Interestingly he is just the fourth player to be involved in five goals in a single Champions League game since 2016/17. Putting him amongst names like Serge Gnabry, Neymar, and Erling Haaland.

Only four players have been directly involved in five goals in a single Champions League game since 2016/17:

◎ Neymar (2016)
◎ Serge Gnabry (2021)
◎ Erling Haaland (2023)
◉ Charles De Ketelaere (2024) 🆕

It's the first time Atalanta have scored 5+ goals in a #UCL game. 🖐️ pic.twitter.com/D0FBHIvXi3

— Squawka (@Squawka) November 26, 2024

An incredible performance but he has been doing that for a long while now believe it or not.

This season he has four goals and nine assists from 14 games at Atalanta. Proving he is always involved for his team.

Not only this but his passing truly sets him out from the rest. This season in the Serie A he has a pass success rate of 80.7 often being the connecting piece of the puzzle for Atalanta.

Not only this but he is starting to deliver on an International level as well. Bursting into the Belgium national team competing for a place amongst players like Kevin De Bruyne. With many already calling him the next KDB.

Charles De Ketelaere's game by numbers vs. Young Boys:

4 touches in opp. box
4 duels won
3x possession won
3 shots
3 shots on target
3 chances created
3 assists
2 goals

Incredible. 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/ysIHo3h0dk

— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) November 26, 2024

What Is Next For Charles De Ketelaere?

After such an unbelievable UCL performance the pressure will be on him. Especially with calls of him being the next De Bruyne. However if he can keep his head down and keep working it is only a matter of time before he reaches the level that so many are expecting.

As it stands there are no real rumours of him leaving Atalanta but it could be only a matter of time before a huge club comes in for him.

But could he truly be the next Kevin De Bruyne?