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GSH Transfer Player Profiles: Charles De Ketelaere

By James Sneddon

BRUSSEL, BELGIUM - MAY 1: Charles De Ketelaere of Club Brugge during the Jupiler Pro League - Championship Round match between RSC Anderlecht and Club Brugge at Lotto Park on May 1, 2022 in Brussel, Belgium (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
BRUSSEL, BELGIUM - MAY 1: Charles De Ketelaere of Club Brugge during the Jupiler Pro League - Championship Round match between RSC Anderlecht and Club Brugge at Lotto Park on May 1, 2022 in Brussel, Belgium (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images) /
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Should West Ham sign Charles de Ketelaere?

The GSH team has been scouting players ahead of the summer transfer window that West Ham could sign. James has spent the last few weeks looking at young players across different European leagues, many of whom are regarded as upcoming prospects in their respective leagues. This article focuses on Charles de Ketelaere, an attacking midfielder who plays for Belgian side Club Brugge.

QUICK FACTS

Full Name: Charles De Ketelaere

Age: 21

Nationality: Belgian

Place of Birth: Bruges, Belgium

Club: Club Brugge

Honours: 2x Belgian Pro League, Belgian Promising Talent of the Year 2020

BRUSSEL, BELGIUM – MARCH 29: Charles de Ketelaere of Belgium prior to the International Friendly match between Belgium and Burkina Faso at Lotto Park on March 29, 2022 in Brussel, Belgium (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
BRUSSEL, BELGIUM – MARCH 29: Charles de Ketelaere of Belgium prior to the International Friendly match between Belgium and Burkina Faso at Lotto Park on March 29, 2022 in Brussel, Belgium (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/BSR Agency/Getty Images) /

BIOGRAPHY

Football was not predominantly on Charles De Ketelaere’s mind when he signed a professional contract in 2019. He had hoped to study law at university, but he soon changed his mind when he realized that he could not balance studying with playing full-time.

A lifelong supporter of Club Brugge, De Ketelaere made his debut for the club in September 2019. He slowly made a breakthrough into the first team, playing in Champions League games and occasionally being used as a substitute. The following season, he played 38 league games and scored four goals.

The 2021/22 season has been important in the 21-year-old’s development, and he has shown many signs of promise. He has scored 17 goals across all competitions, has made his international debut for Belgium, and has scored his first goal for his country. The goal came in a 2-1 loss to Italy at Juventus Stadium.

Belgium football has produced world-class players over the last 15 years. The likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, and Thibaut Courtois have become major inspirations for the younger generation of Belgian footballers. With the generational stars fast approaching the end of their careers, it will open the door for fresh faces to come in. De Ketelaere is expected to be one of them.

STYLE OF PLAY

De Ketelaere is known for his composure on the ball. Although he is an attacking midfielder by trade, he does not always show an urge to carry the ball quickly. He prefers to move the ball into open space, using precision passing and accuracy rather than flair and skill.

The young player’s passing range suits a team with a lone-striker system. He makes long aerial passes to forwards and strikers in order to create one-on-one chances and to beat the offside trap. If he is playing in a central position, he tends to make lower passes at close range. The variety of passes enables him to ignite attacks or to provide assists.

De Ketelaere has one uncommon trait for an attacking midfielder: he has a high rate of dispossession. He has sometimes operated in a deeper role in order to retrieve the ball; this helps him to dribble into the opposition half. However, he rarely plays deep and is deployed in the number 10 role most of the time.