Media scolding from the FC coach
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Lukas Kwasniok is critical of the hype surrounding Said El Mala’s talent and has resorted to a media scolding. “Unfortunately, I can’t stop it, but obviously parts of the industry are under so much pressure that you get something out of it and the next person outdoes it without there being any basis for it,” said the coach of 1. FC Köln in an interview with “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung“.
When asked about FC Bayern’s alleged interest in the 19-year-old, Kwasniok explained: “Such treatment is simply not okay for me. No journalist has to fear consequences for such an assertion, but how is such a young player supposed to process it?” Actually, there are “no issues at all” surrounding El Mala, they are simply artificially exaggerated.”
Most recently, El Mala’s advisor also classified the speculation as “incorrect”. “As things currently stand, there is no reason at all to leave 1. FC Köln,” he emphasized. The offensive talent has scored two goals and provided another in the first six Bundesliga games. The young professional can only be protected to a limited extent, explained Kwasniok, who let El Mala play from the start.
Like first love at 14: Kwasniok warns against hype about Cologne’s El Mala
For El Mala, who was awarded the Fritz Walter Silver Medal on Friday, the Bundesliga’s latest market value update saw a jump from 3 million to 18 million euros – only Jonas Hector, Anthony Modeste and Lukas Podolski were valued higher in the FC jersey. “His name was already in demand in the summer. As a Bundesliga debutant, Effzeh’s youngster was able to more than live up to his early praise with an impressive start. He stands out particularly in one-on-one situations with his individual quality, but his ability to score also makes him a top talent in his position,” explained market value expert Frederic Hillmann.
Kwasniok graphically warned against having too high expectations. “It’s comparable to first love: There are always talented boys who fall in love for the first time at 14, and there are often breaks in their careers that can sometimes no longer be mended,” explained the FC coach. Kwasniok made it clear that with his statements he “simply wanted to appeal to reason.” National coach Julian Nagelsmann had also recently curbed the youth hype. You have to give the talented people time, otherwise there would be a “fair in the dumps” for them.