After scoring the first goal since October
©IMAGO
Due to Edin Dzeko’s suspension, Moussa Sylla came back into the spotlight at FC Schalke 04 last weekend and was back in the starting line-up for the first time since the start of the second half of the season. The 26-year-old’s goal in the top game against rivals Darmstadt immediately saved the Royal Blues an important point. Sylla was already on the verge of taking off in Gelsenkirchen in the winter, and now the striker has spoken about the future. Meanwhile, the second division club reportedly believes there is a chance of keeping Dzeko beyond the season – which, curiously enough, would involve non-promotion.
Sylla’s transfer to the North American MLS fell through under strange circumstances on the home stretch in the winter. There had already been regular speculation about the striker, who came to S04 from France in 2024 and contributed 17 scorers in 27 league games in his first season. After 23 appearances in the current season, Mali’s six-time international has made seven. Especially after Dzeko’s winter transfer, Sylla was pushed into the background to some extent and his market value fell by one million euros. The goal against the Lilies was his first goal in around 900 minutes of play. In the “WAZ” the right-footer, who has a contract until 2028, said he was pleased to be able to help the team and coach Miron Muslic again. “It always feels good to score a goal. Scoring goals is a joy.”
With a view to his failed move to New York in January, professional Sylla, who is still extremely popular with fans and is considered modest, said: “Everything that happens in life is meant to happen, it is God’s providence.” The situation did not affect him in any way. “It’s nothing and part of life, part of the game. In life you always have to adapt or you lose.” With this credo and the support of those around him and the Schalke supporters, he has also mastered the past few weeks in which he had had less playing time. “Everyone was behind me. We’re like a family. I’m grateful for everything.” This impression was conveyed not least by the scenes after Sylla’s goal against Darmstadt, after which he was intensively warmed and cheered by his teammates.
He accepts without resentment that he will initially be pushed back into the second tier against Karlsruhe after the international break and Dzeko’s return. Rather, he puts himself at the service of the team. “No matter whether I play ten or 90 minutes – I’m always ready. Edin Dzeko is a top player and makes the team better, which is great for the club.” How long Sylla can deal with the current situation remains to be seen. When asked about his future in the regional newspaper, he remained tight-lipped: “I have a contract here. But we all know how things can work in football.”
The future of the 40-year-old Dzekos, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is similarly uncertain, at least as of now. The aging Bosnian reportedly has a clear goal of ending his active career with sporting success. Against this background, “Sport Bild” wrote on Wednesday: “The feeling of the management team: If the superstar manages to return to the Bundesliga with Schalke, he will end his career. If S04 remains second-class, it is more realistic that Dzeko sticks around for a year.” Discussions about how and whether things could continue for the striker at Schalke should only be held with mutual agreement after the end of the season.
