Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, journalist Pete O’Rourke mentioned that Manchester City are keeping tabs on Koln youngster Said El Mala. O’Rourke said,
“Yeah, he’s really pushed onto the scene this season, El Mala.
“(He’s) one of the most exciting young players in the German Bundesliga, four goals and one assist in nine appearances for Koln this season, which has brought him onto the radar of some of the top clubs in European football.
“I did a story last month on Football Insider suggesting that Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United were all sending scouts to watch El Mala, and now Manchester City are the latest club to show interest in the exciting winger.
“That’s no surprise. All the top clubs do their homework on the best young players who are making waves in European football.”
El Mala’s Impressive Form In The Bundesliga
El Mala has enjoyed a decent run of form at the German club in this campaign so far as he has put in a string of eye-catching displays for them on the left wing. The German talent has participated in 13 matches for Koln this season, scoring four goals and securing three assists in the process across various competitions.
The 19-year-old has managed to shine in the final third and deserves credit for averaging 5.19 shots per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga. He has kept 41.7% of his attempts on target. However, El Mala needs to improve his ball distribution after completing 64.6% of his attempted passes in the German top tier (stats via fbref.com).
Manchester City Are Keeping Tabs On El Mala: One For The Future?
El Mala can shoot the ball with power and precision from long range and has got the vision to create a few inviting chances for his teammates on the offensive end of the field.
The German wide player is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet. El Mala is primarily a left-winger but can also function as a right-sided wide player or as a centre-forward if told to do so. However, it remains to be seen whether he can cope with the physical side and high intensity of the Premier League if Man City manage to bring him on board next year.
El Mala would undoubtedly enhance the quality of Pep Guardiola’s frontline in the long run. He is already good enough to challenge for regular first-team football at the Etihad Stadium.
At 19, El Mala is a prospect to watch out for in the future. Therefore, Guardiola should focus on recruiting him next year.
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