He is only 19 years old, but his adventure with Borussia Dortmund continues to get complicated. However, everything started well. When he was just 13 years old, Youssoufa Moukoko was rushed to the top thanks to incredible performances and crazy statistics in the BvB youth categories. Launched as a professional at 16, becoming a German international at 17, he had a rather promising 2022/2023 financial year. Author of 35 appearances with the Ruhr club for 7 goals and 6 goals, he played one minute during the 2022 World Cup against Japan. His last appearance with the A selection. Extending in January 2023, Youssoufa Moukoko seemed to have launched his career, but everything has since fallen back.
Edin Terzic no longer really believes in himself
Little used at the start of the 2023/2024 season by Edin Terzic and pushing for a departure on loan (Cologne was in the running), he was simply out of discussions for his coach with only 13 appearances for 279 minutes played in all competitions. (2 goals). “Neither the club nor Youssoufa are thinking about the winter transfer window now. We had very open discussions this summer after the signing of Niclas Füllkrug. Of course he hopes for more playing time, but the squad is very quantitative, there are many other players who would also like more playing time. As for Youssoufa, I can say that he accepts it 100 percent, that he puts in the effort in training and that he works hard on himself. We will still need him. We believe in him too”announced sports director Sebastian Kehl in an interview for the West German Allgemeine Zeitung.
A secondary or even tertiary role that has not completely improved since. He thus displays 7 appearances in 2024 for 2 starts (212 minutes played) for 2 goals. Moreover, he scored in January against Darmstadt and Cologne, which gave him two starts in a row. But after a draw against Heidenheim, Edin Terzic expressed his dissatisfaction with certain players including Youssoufa Moukoko: “a few boys who weren't happy in recent months got their chance again. It was clearly not enough.” Volunteer despite everything, Youssoufa Moukoko is champing at the bit while waiting to be offered new opportunities. To shine, the German striker must wait for the German U21 team where he has performed well.
Youssoufa Moukoko shines in Hope
With the young Germans, the native of Yaoundé was effective during the last three gatherings. Author of 2 goals against Kosovo, 3 goals against Bulgaria and 1 against Estonia, he has 6 goals in 4 matches and finds himself top scorer in the qualifiers ahead of Harvey Elliott. “Youssoufa knows he has an important role for us. Of course, we see that the last few weeks have been difficult. He didn't play much. We try to give him confidence” said Antonio Di Salvo, Germany U21 coach.
Youssoufa Moukoko, who feels much better in the selection, had also taken advantage of his good form with the young Germans to point the finger at Edin Terzic's management regarding him last November: “I always score goals here because I play a full 90 minutes. It's really good for me to get into this rhythm of play. The club still lacks that, but the trend has clearly improved since the last international break. In the end, I want to play here as much as possible in order to recommend myself to the club. In the end, we'll see if that's enough.” This does not seem to have been the case for Youssoufa Moukoko who will take advantage of the matches against Kosovo and Israel in March to regain confidence before returning to a more hostile climate in Dortmund…
