Radja Nainggolan backs Club Brugge star Charles De Ketelaere to win this season’s Jupiler Pro League Golden Boot, but is not a fan of the West Ham and Tottenham transfer target.
Nainggolan has been speaking with Het Nieuwsblad, and believes it would be wrong if the public name De Ketelaere the Belgian Football Union’s Player of the Year. Previous winners include Man City’s Kevin de Bruyne, Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard and Napoli’s Dries Mertens.
Nainggolan does not feel De Ketelaere warrants the gong, though, as his efforts are not up to scratch. Instead, the 30-cap Red Devils dynamo – formerly of Inter Milan and now of Royal Antwerp – sees gaps in the Club Brugge ace’s game that he considers to be wrong.
De Ketelaere has scored seven goals and provided six assists over 25 appearances in all competitions so far this term. Five of each have also come in 17 Jupiler Pro League fixtures.
The 20-year-old has started each of Club Brugge’s league games this term, but ranks 18th in the Golden Boot race. He also only ranks 13th in the Belgian top-flight for assists so far.
West Ham and Tottenham eye transfer for De Ketelaere
De Ketelaere’s displays for Club Brugge so far this term have put West Ham and Tottenham on alert to transfers. Calciomercato have cited both London side’s interest in the four-cap Belgian international, with Spurs even eying a January deal.
West Ham also like what they have seen, but face competition from Everton, Napoli and AC Milan. While Voetbal Krant also report the Blauw-Zwart would want at least €40m (£34m).
De Ketelaere is likely to break the Jupiler Pro League transfer record when the West Ham and Tottenham target leaves Club Brugge. Jonathan David’s €27m (£23m) departure rising to €32m (£27m) including add-ons from Gent to Lille is the current record sale.
Club Brugge bowing out of Europe after ending the Champions League group stage bottom of Group A could force the Jan Breydel Stadium outfit to lower their valuation, however.
Nainggolan issues brutal De Ketelaere verdict
But while De Ketelaere has impressed transfer suitors West Ham and Tottenham, the Club Brugge star has not captivated Nainggolan.
“This year he will win the Belgian Golden Boot, but I am not a fan of his at all,” Nainggolan said. “I often see him wrong and he scores too little.
“I like [him as a number] ten or winger better, but he doesn’t drive me crazy. If he is voted the best player in and out of Belgium, I will disagree. In another team, it would be different. Now, he plays for Brugge and for everyone he is a promising talent.”
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