Consultant threatens to change
Child prodigy Moukoko finally has to play
01/25/2022 1:51 p.m
Long before Youssoufa Moukoko made his debut in the Bundesliga, he was being billed as the rising star of world football. It will be written in heaven. Then debut, injuries and few goals follow. He is currently fighting for operational times. His adviser puts pressure on him.
The insane hype surrounding Youssoufa Moukoko culminated on November 21, 2020 in the deserted Olympic Stadium. The wave had been building for many, many years. Well over 100 goals for the youth teams of BVB, a few for the youth teams of the DFB, birthday greetings from Lionel Messi and the most unbelievable stories about this talent that would dominate German, oh, world football in the future.
“He’s the greatest talent in world football,” enthused Dortmund’s superstar Erling Haaland after Moukoko’s first appearance. Back in November 2020, just one day after his 16th birthday, he was sent onto the field by then BVB coach Lucien Favre for the last few minutes in the 5-2 win against Hertha BSC. A few weeks later, Favre was history – and then the hype about Moukoko, who was plagued by injuries and is still waiting for his breakthrough 14 months after his debut at BVB.
This season, there were just eleven appearances in the professional team and only one starting eleven – in the Supercup against Bayern. In his 187 minutes he failed to score and only contributed once. He has been waiting for his fourth Bundesliga goal since March 2021. Behind Haaland and summer newcomer Donyell Malen, he is currently in third place in the striker hierarchy. Time waits for no one. Also not on such hyped players.
The Germany U-21 international is still only 17 years and two months old, but his impatience is slowly starting to grow. Under contract with Borussia Dortmund until 2023, this can be seen above all in the opening statement for the upcoming contract negotiations. They are led with hard bandages. This is now also suggested by statements by Moukoko consultant Patrick Williams.
Haaland injury as an opportunity
“It’s not a matter of course that Youssoufa is extending BVB,” said Williams in “Bild”, referring to the lack of playing time of the youngster, who recently had to gain match practice in the second team before his comeback after a long muscle injury. “Yes, he has been thrown back a bit this season due to injuries. Yes, the competition at BVB is of course great. But he hardly gets the playing time that he needs in the current phase of his career in Dortmund. Do it Of course we’re thinking about what’s best for the future.”
The consultant built up a threatening backdrop. “Of course, many clubs are interested in Youssoufa, that’s no secret. The end of his contract in the summer of 2023 is getting closer, the top clubs have that on the slip,” said Williams about the interest of unspecified clubs from England and Spain.
The timing of the contract noise is of course cleverly chosen. With Haaland, Dortmund’s central striker threatens to fail in the next few weeks. As is well known, the Norwegian suffered a muscle injury in the 3-2 win in Hoffenheim and could be out for weeks. The first substitute is Moukoko, who can now show that the interest of the top clubs is justified. And that the insane hype about the still only 17-year-old striker was justified.