Youssoufa Moukoko Keeps Impressing For Dortmund But What Is Next For The 17-Year-Old

It could have been the moment to decide the game. It is the 37th minute between Dortmund and Manchester City when Karim Adeyemi breaks through on the right; his low cross finds teammate Youssoufa Moukoko, but instead of tapping the ball home, the 17-year-old misses, and the ball goes wide.

That goal would have secured Borussia Dortmund the win over Man City. Ultimately, it did not matter, however, as the two sides could not be separated in a 0-0 draw that saw both of them advance to the round of 16 of the Champions League.

As a result, the moment will not even be a footnote in the career of the 17-year-old striker. In fact, it will not even make it into the annals of the 2022/23 season.

But it did highlight something important after all. Moukoko is increasingly getting into scoring key scoring situations at crucial moments against tough opponents. An ability that has earned him the starting position for Edin Terzic at the Black and Yellows but also has gotten him on the list of the initial 44 players for Germany’s World Cup squad.

That is surprising, considering where both Moukoko and Dortmund were at the start of the season, when the Black and Yellows reacted to losing Sébastien Haller by signing Anthony Modeste for $6 million and a yearly salary of an additional $6 million.

Modeste has, however, struggled, scoring just two goals in nine games. Nonetheless, the Frenchman would initially start over Modeste, but that would change when Moukoko headed home the winner against arch-rivals Schalke on matchday 7.

“Adeyemi and I came on and were able to bring a fresh wind to our side,” Moukoko said after the derby victory. “I am very much relieved,” Moukoko said when asked about his header that ended up winning the game for Dortmund. “I have been training with Terzic for this very situation, and I am elated that it worked out in that situation.”

Another crucial goal against Bayern Munich followed Dortmund’s 2-2 comeback. The 17-year-old also scored a goal and an assist against Stuttgart on matchday 11—another crucial game after the Black and Yellows lost on matchday 10 against Union Berlin. Still, without a goal in the Champions League—where Moukoko can become the youngest German scorer in history with a goal against Copenhagen—the striker did have excellent performances against Sevilla and now against Man City.

Those performances have brought up crucial questions. First, what is going to happen with Moukoko’s contract? The current deal will expire at the end of the season. The understanding here is that his 18th birthday on Nov. 20 should bring some resolution to Dortmund’s three-year $10 million offer. Hence, as pointed out on Gegenpressing, chatter about a move to Liverpool or elsewhere seem premature.

Crucially, the day of his birthday is also the start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. With Germany boss Hansi Flick struggling for a true no.9, Moukoko has now become a serious option to make the World Cup squad.

Reports in Germany have indicated that Moukoko is on the initial 44 squad submitted by Flick this week. On current form, it would be difficult to imagine that Moukoko will not be in Qatar.

Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth