Marco Reus talks about the growing media hype around Youssoufa Moukoko

Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus has had his say on the highly rated 15 year old striker Youssoufa Moukoko and his concerns about the media hype surrounding him.

It was revealed earlier this month that Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko will soon be eligible to play with the first team upon turning 16 in November. Moukoko has been on fire for Dortmund’s youth teams over the last few years and is now closing in on the chance to represent the senior team.

There has been a lot of media hype surrounding the striker. This is a lot of pressure to put on a 15 year old as Dortmund is a top tier club. Marco Reus, who went through a similar experience when he made his breakthrough for Borussia Mönchengladbach, has talked about the pressures young players face from the media hype. Ruhr Nachrichten published some quotes from Sport Bild where the Dortmund captain touched on the subject of the young Moukoko.

"“He is a class boy and exceptionally talented for his age. But I think we would all do him a big favor if we didn’t talk about him that much. I would like him to be able to develop calmly,” Marco Reus"

Reus isn’t misguided, he knows how much pressure is put on young players at that age to succeed. He even said he himself could not have dealt with the pressure at that age.

"“I don’t think that this intensity is good for him. How can you understand that at that age? I couldn’t have done it then.” Marco Reus"

Hopefully Moukoko is able to take his time without feeling rushed into his debut amidst the hype too quickly. Although with Dortmund’s track record that isn’t likely to the case, the Black and Yellows promote youth but mainly only ones that are truly ready.