Bayern Munich Eyeing Teenage Star

Curious Interest from Premier League Clubs

Could German football giants FC Bayern Munich soon be in pursuit of the young prodigy? Premier League teams were reportedly willing to invest over €15 million in El Mala even before he made his Bundesliga debut.

Coach’s Initial Remarks About El Mala

Kwasniok took a measured approach during his pre-match press conference on Friday, attempting to temper expectations regarding the young talent. He humorously mentioned that he hadn’t noticed any widespread enthusiasm surrounding Said.

On Managing Young Talent

“Said is just 19 and has competed in three matches this week,” Kwasniok pointed out on Friday. “His body isn’t accustomed to this level of exertion unlike more seasoned players. I’m not a fan of the excitement surrounding him. How can someone so young deal with such pressure? Everything feels artificially inflated.”

A Change in Tone After Match Performance

Kwasniok had to adjust his stance on Saturday after El Mala delivered an impressive equalizing goal late in the game. Coming on in the 59th minute while his team was down 0-1, El Mala made an impact with a stunning finish in the 76th minute, helping Köln salvage a draw against Augsburg.

Embracing the Hype

“You’re perhaps misunderstanding my comments from yesterday,” Kwasniok clarified during the post-match conference. “I cannot and will not undermine the excitement surrounding him. Our main focus is on how we work with him, particularly in integrating him into our system. He certainly leaves a strong impression, but he’s more of a ‘highlight player.’”

Differentiating Player Types

Kwasniok elaborated on player distinctions: “There’s a notable difference between being a ‘highlight player’ and simply being a ‘solid Bundesliga player.’ It’s about creating memorable moments versus providing consistent value to the team.”

Comparison with Other Players

“Take [Jakub] Kamiński (23), for instance,” Kwasniok added. “He may not be a frequent ‘highlight player’, but he operates at a two or three levels higher than El Mala and, quite frankly, holds more value for the team. It’s our responsibility to elevate [El Mala] to Kamiński’s standard.”

Future Potential

“If El Mala keeps performing at this rate and incorporates Bundesliga-quality play into his repertoire of ‘highlights’, we might have to consider selling him for a substantial fee down the line,” Kwasniok concluded. “I believe that possibility is still a ways off. He has a strong connection to Köln, and for now, he’s relishing this experience. We’re all celebrating this journey together.”