KEY POINTS

  • Youssoufa Moukoko looms as one of the young players to watch for Borussia Dortmund this season
  • Moukoko, Giovanni Reyna and Jude Bellingham out to prove they belong with the BVB veterans
  • Moukoko has unfinished business with Dortmund Youth

Youssoufa Moukoko is another up and coming football star who most are expecting to make a splash. The 15-year-old is currently training with the first-team squad of Borussia Dortmund and the Cameroonian is getting the proper guidance from the veterans.

There is reason to be excited about Moukoko's impending senior debut. So far, he has scored 183 goals in 120 games for Dortmund's youth team. Due to regulations, Moukoko can only make his competitive debut on Nov. 20 when he turns 16. Hence, he has all the time to prepare before that special day comes. Part of that is advice coming from his elder teammates in the Dortmund senior squad, Lukasz Piszczek, Emre Can and Julian Brandt.

"Lukasz Piszczek helped me a lot, but Emre Can and Julian Brandt also support me," Moukoko said in a report from Bild. "He [Piszczek] pulled me straight to the side and said, 'Just have fun, be yourself and don't be afraid with us professionals'."

And while his senior debut appears imminent, Moukoko admits that he still has some unfinished business in the youth categories. For the time being leading to his debut, the 15-year-old plans to fulfill some unfinished marks. That includes hitting the 200-goal mark.

"I will use the time until November in the under-19s," he said. "I still want to break the 200-goal mark."

For now, there is another young player in focus in Giovanni Reyna. The 17-year-old made his debut for Dortmund last season, appearing in 15 games in Bundesliga. Now, he will be out to continue his journey and hopes to follow in the footsteps of English winger Jadon Sancho.

"Jadon's first steps when he starts dribbling are unbelievable - wow! I try to learn from him in every training session because his development here at BVB is an incentive for me," Reyna said to Sport Bild.

Dortmund's youth drive is something to look forward to. Aside from Moukoko and Reyna, there is also Jude Bellingham who is raring to show what he can do with BVB. Dortmund paid £25 million ($33 million) to get the 17-year-old from Birmingham City.

Youssoufa Moukoko of Borussia Dortmund
Youssoufa Moukoko of Borussia Dortmund Getty Images | Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images

"...for me, the pressure I put on myself is more than the pressure of any price tag or [expectation from any] media outlet. I will try and do the best for me and this club regardless of the price tag," Bellingham said.