Hans-Joachim Watzke says the 15-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko has got scoring in his DNA.
Moukoko with a goalscoring DNA
Teenage sensation Youssoufa Moukoko’s has got goals in his blood, according to BVB CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, who says the 15-year-old has got scoring in his DNA. The Germany youth star, who has already won caps for the national team’s under-20 despite being five years younger than most of his teammates, is poised to pick up his first Bundesliga challenge ahead of Lucien Favre’s side trip to Hertha Berling on November 21. League rules mean players must be 16 years of age or older before they can play for the senior squad, with Cameroon-born Moukoko to celebrate his birthday the night before, November 20. The striker, who moved from his home country with his German father in 2014, has been training with Favre’s first team since January this year and is widely leaning towards picking top minutes before 2020 is out.
BVB must be careful with Youssoufa not to overwhelm him
Also, Moukoko is expected to be included in the club’s B-list for their Champions League campaign. Raising the possibility of a cameo that could see him break the longstanding record held by Celestine Babayaro for the youngest player in top European competition at 16 years, two months and 25 days. Former Dortmund treasurer Watzke has now revealed himself in the youngster’s performances. Having seen him impress across all the club’s academy setups, with the 61-year-old professing his excitement seeing the forward move up the ranks. However, he was quick to warn that the club wouldn’t look to push him too hard given his age and relative inexperience, although there are hopes that he could follow in the footsteps of former young sensations such as Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland.
“He has the goal gene,” Watzke told reporters. “Whether he scores three or four in the U-19’s games, if you do them regularly, you have the goal gene. But that will be the coach’s decision as to whether or not he plays. He is going to be the youngest of them all, so we must be careful not to overwhelm him. Ideal for him to move into the senior team. If Haaland needs a break, then maybe Favre will try Youssoufa.”