Nuri Sahin on Youssoufa Moukoko: "The U-19 is far too easy for him"
Dortmund's latest wunderkind celebrates his 16th birthday this coming Friday. Another dazzling phenom prepares for his Bundesliga debut.
A new rule change enables the promising talent to break the snatch the record as the youngest player ever to log pitch time for a Bundesliga club from Nuri Sahin.
The soon-to-be former record holder discussed the impending launch with German footballing magazine Kicker.
It won't be long now. Bundesliga legend Nuri Sahin happens to know a thing or two about being under challenged at the youth level. In the 2005/06 campaign, the Turkish star burst onto the scene, first gracing the Dortmund pitch at the age of 16 years and 334 days.
A new rule change enables the promising talent to break the snatch the record as the youngest player ever to log pitch time for a Bundesliga club from Nuri Sahin.
The soon-to-be former record holder discussed the impending launch with German footballing magazine Kicker.
Asked about another young prodigy working his way up the BVB ranks, Sahin was unequivocal. "Youssoufa Moukoko must now take the next step," Sahin is quoted in the Monday edition of Germany's Kicker magazine as saying, "The U19 is far too easy for him."
One way or another, Moukoko will soon break Sahin's record as the youngest Bundesliga player ever to debut in the league. German football watchers across the country greet the coming event with a sense of eager anticipation. The youngsters performances in the BVB youth squads have already established him as one who smashes records left and right.
"It makes me happy that he's one of us," Sahin, who for years called Dortmund home, told the magazine, "When the new rule came out, I quickly realized that my record would be broken."
Dortmund juniors coach Mike Tullberg also chimed fun for the article. "Youssoufa works toward his goal every day," Tullberg noted, "He does everything possible to improve."
BVB boss Sebastian Kehl attempted to emphasize that expectations would be tempered. "Youssoufa brings plenty of talent with him," the manager said, "but his path is only just beginning."
Football watchers across the Bundesrepublik who have had the privilege of seeing Moukoko in action know that such deliberately restrained words may mean little once the teenager is given his chance to shine.
A tornado of a tyro looks set to arrive on the scene quite soon.