Moukoko Regret: Schaffran says Dortmund would have changed his role

Moukoko Regret: Paul Schaffran, head of the youth department at Borussia Dortmund, openly admitted that the club could have handled the development path of the 21‑year‑old striker differently. The German is currently on loan at Çorum FK in Turkey, where he has so far made three substitute appearances.

Once considered one of the brightest prospects of his generation, Moukoko was scoring 50 or 60 goals a season in the youth ranks. A large part of those goals came from receiving the ball in midfield and sprinting forward, a style almost unique in professional football.

Schaffran's words to

Schaffran explained to: “If we had Youssoufa Moukoko back in the academy, we would first assess whether the playing style shown at youth level could be transferred to professional football.”

The executive also admitted that the club would review the player's tactical positioning, probably not deploying him solely as an out‑and‑out striker, but shaping him as a playmaker or mezzala (number 10 or 8).

He added that, by giving up 30 or 40 goals a year in the youth ranks, a more well‑rounded player would be obtained.

Schaffran concluded that Moukoko's trajectory must become a lesson for future decisions regarding the next generation of talent in the yellow‑and‑black academy.