Bundesliga
Moukoko attracting Germany interest with Dortmund form
Borussia Dortmund’s 14-year-old striker Youssoufa Moukoko has scored every 41 minutes with the club’s U19s this season, attracting admiring but cautious glances from Germany coach Joachim Löw.
Moukoko joined the Dortmund youth academy from St. Pauli in 2016 and has raced through the age groups at the Signal Iduna Park. Lining up ahead of American prodigy Gio Reyna – himself still just 16 – for the U19s this season, Moukoko has plundered 15 league goals in just seven starts.
Germany are flush with attacking options right now – Serge Gnabry has 10 goals in 11 international outings, with Timo Werner and Marco Reus contributing to an embarrassment of riches for Die Mannschaft – but Löw says Moukoko could be one for the future.
“I’ve been speaking to [BVBV U19 coach] Michael Skibbe for a while,” he said. “Everyone involved is well advised to wait and let him develop in peace.”
“He’s so young and already so good,” said Skibbe of the young attacker. “The boy will one day become a professional, that’s as sure as a prayer in the church. Only injuries can stop him. He’s got very good technique, speed, and finishes well. These are three strong qualities that come together.”
Watch: Moukoko's best goal in the Dortmund youth ranks so far?
Moukoko has scored three times in four outings with Germany’s U16s, and could one day represent Cameroon due to his parentage, but the player – like Löw – is taking things one step at a time.
“Of course, it’s very nice to hear something like that and makes you very proud,” said Moukoko when asked about Löw’s interest on Instagram. “But there’s still a long way to go. Everything’s possible.”