Köln Coach Discusses Young Talent Said El Mala’s Recent Form

omidbasir- Said El Mala, the promising 19-year-old talent from Germany, has scored only one goal in his last four matches, prompting discussions about his performance. While some may argue that this does not indicate a significant downturn in form, the lofty expectations surrounding the young player warrant attention. This was a key topic during Köln’s Bundesliga pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

Köln’s head coach, Lukas Kwasniok, faced questions regarding El Mala’s recent struggles. Kwasniok’s straightforward approach to discussing the player’s development has sometimes attracted criticism, but in this instance, he handled the inquiries with composure, commending the young talent.

“This is the first indication of a slight stall since his rise,” Kwasniok noted. “His prior performances were exceptional, resulting in high expectations. After reaching such impressive heights, it was natural for everyone to expect him to maintain that level.”

He further elaborated, “We have aimed to approach this situation with caution. Our goal is to ensure that the player continues to enjoy his great passion for the sport. The immense hype surrounding him certainly adds pressure. He is currently in a transitional phase.”

Kwasniok remarked on El Mala’s recent performance, stating, “He isn’t playing with the same freedom as he did up until mid-December. We are fully supportive during this period, aiming to find the right balance between starting and substitute appearances.”

As for determining El Mala’s playtime, Kwasniok emphasized, “His minutes will depend on his training performances. We will assess whether he starts on Friday or comes off the bench.”

When a reporter highlighted El Mala’s age, Kwasniok expressed appreciation for the reminder, noting, “It’s easy to forget how young he is. He manages the situation well, yet I can see that he is often preoccupied with his newfound fame.”

“These young players are constantly engaged with their phones and frequently see their own images online. They must learn to navigate this unique environment, which is something older generations did not face. It is a completely new challenge.”

Kwasniok concluded by suggesting, “It would be beneficial for these young players to reflect on how previous talented footballers dealt with their own hype. By learning from those experiences, they may better manage their own celebrity status.”

GGFN | Peter Weis