Real Madrid Transfers: Three best U-19 prospects to keep an eye on
Youssoufa Moukoko
The third player on the list is Borussia Dortmund starlet striker Youssoufa Moukoko. Moukoko started out his career at St. Pauli’s youth team from where he joined the youth ranks of Dortmund before being promoted to first-team during the start of 2020-21.
Moukoko made an immediate impact since he started playing for St. Pauli’s U-13 team back in 2014. The following year he was promoted to the U-15s during which he scored 23 times in 13 games making him one of the most talented emerging prospects in German football.
Moukoko joined the ranks of Dortmund aged 12 and netted 40 times in his first season with the Ruhr-based team. He continued his stellar goalscoring form within the Dortmund youth scoring 46 goals in 25 games in the U-17 Bundesliga West league.
He impressed the Dortmund coaches so much during his tremendous climb through their ranks that U-19 coach Michael Skibbe went on to say:
"“He’s so young and already so good. He’s got very good technique, speed, and finishes well. These are three strong qualities that come together. The boy will one day become a professional, that’s as sure as a prayer in the church. Only injuries can stop him.”"
Moukoko featured 22 times last season during which he was able to score only two goals owing to limited minutes as Erling Haaland was the regular starter. Dortmund are in the process of experimenting with the 17-year-old in an attacking midfield role while also letting him develop in his natural position as a striker.
The German International’s contract expires next season but he is expected to renew with Dortmund as that’s the best place for him to develop before stepping up for bigger ambitions.
Real Madrid should keep an eye on him as they will feel the need to strengthen the forward position in about three to four years. And who knows, if he has developed enough, Real Madrid might go for him.
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However, being a no-frills striker, Moukoko stays forward up the pitch most of the time and does not drop deep enough times to help sync with the midfield. There are still areas which the teenager needs to work on but he surely can be the next big thing to come out of German football and we have been pretty successful with the Germans, haven’t we?