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Germany fans haven’t had much to cheer about in recent years, with a last-16 defeat to England at Euro 2020 sanwiched between two embarrassing group-stage exits at successive World Cups. And as legends like Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer approach the latter stages of their career, it may be necessary for the German Football Federation (DFB) to bring the next generation of talent through early, if for no other reason than to provide a much-needed shot of energy that lifts the mood of one of the great footballing nations.
Assan Ouedraogo certainly looks like a player capable of having such an impact, after breaking into the Schalke first team at the tender age of 17. Several of the world’s biggest clubs have already taken notice, with Ouedraogo set to have his pick of suitors when the transfer window opens this summer given the bargain €20 million (£17m/$22m) buyout clause in his contract.
Schalke has been a stepping stone for a number of top European players down the years, from Jens Lehmann and Mesut Ozil to Joel Matip and Leroy Sane, and Ouedraogo could go onto follow in their footsteps if he continues on his current trajectory.
Ouedraogo was born to Burkinabe parents in the German city of Mulheim, and has always had football in his blood. He is the son of former Charleroi and Koln midfielder Alassane Ouedraogo, who won 33 caps for Burkina Faso and played across multiple levels of the German football pyramid, including the Bundesliga.
Local side TuS Union 09 gave Ouedraogo the chance to start learning his trade, and at just eight years old he was drafted into Schalke’s renowned Knappenschmiede academy. He then spent the next decade working towards a first-team breakthrough, and took a giant step towards that goal in the 2021-22 season, recording seven goals and eight assists in 15 appearances for Schalke’s U17s to help them win the league title.
Ouedraogo became a key player for the U19s the following campaign, recording seven goal contributions in the Bundesliga West, and was rewarded with a spot in Germany’s U17 squad for the 2023 European Championship, where he would go on to announce himself as one of the brightest talents on the continent.
Germany stormed to their first U17 European Championship title in 14 years last summer, and Ouedraogo played in five of their six matches, providing one goal and one assist. His solitary goal came in their thrilling 5-3 semi-final victory over Poland, as he left his marker with a clever piece of movement before leaping to head home at the back post, showing off his impressive ability in the air.
The final was a far more cagey affair as Germany and France played out a goalless draw after normal and extra-time, but Ouedraogo stayed on for the entire match, and had the courage to put himself forward to take his team’s fifth penalty in the subsequent shootout. As fate would have it, France missed their final two penalties to leave Ouedraogo with the responsibility of winning the cup for his country, and he obliged in the coolest possible fashion, side footing the ball into the corner of the net after wrong-footing the goalkeeping.
It was a remarkable piece of execution from a special young player, and it convinced Schalke that he was ready for the step up to senior level. The German giants were relegated from the Bundesliga after a nightmare 2022-23 season, and head coach Thomas Reis decided to throw Ouedraogo in at the deep end for their first game back in the second tier.
At just 17 years and 80 days old, Ouedraogo became Schalke’s youngest-ever player when lining up against Hamburg on July 28, and marked the occasion with a goal. The ball was knocked down to the teenager just inside the box, and he produced a brilliant low finish after casually side-stepping his marker – as if he were just taking part in a practice game.
The youngest player to score for #S04 ⚽
Assan Ouédraogo with a historic goal on his debut ⭐ pic.twitter.com/cVoST9JrOH
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) August 1, 2023
He also broke Julian Draxler’s record as the youngest scorer in Schalke’s history, before going on to bag an assist, and although they went on to lose the game 5-3, he made a lasting impression on Hamburg boss Fritz Walter. “With Assan you have a real gem. Hats off! Good boy. A really good player,” he said.
Ouedraogo featured in Schalke’s next 10 league games, and earned widespread praise despite the team only managing to pick up three victories, with Karel Geraerts eventually drafted in to replace Reis in the dugout in October. Schalke legend Olaf Thon was among those blown away by the youngster’s ability, as he beamed: “He has everything: game intelligence, speed, teamwork, goal threat and he can play the final pass.”
Unfortunately, his momentum was disrupted due to a hamstring injury, and although he was still called up to Germany’s U17 World Cup squad, Ouedraogo only made two appearances during his country’s run to another major trophy. His tournament was cut short when he tore ligaments in his ankle, which kept him out of action for the next four months, and Schalke have sorely missed his presence while plummeting to 14th in the 2.Bundesliga table.
It’s been a long road back to full fitness for Ouedraogo, but he has dealt with the first serious setback in his fledgling career like a true professional, and finally returned to action in Schalke’s league outing against Paderborn on March 17. He looked sharp in his 19-minute cameo, and earned a place back in Geraerts’ starting XI for a friendly clash with FC Gütersloh three days later.
Schalke ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a stunning long-range strike from Ouedraogo, leaving his manager delighted. “I’m really happy that he’s fit again,” Geraerts said after the game. “He scored a fantastic goal. It’s exactly why we rate him so highly – he has the ability to beat his man one-on-one and then finish like that.”
Ouedraogo stands at an imposing height of 6’3 (191cm), which has helped him easily adjust to the physical demands of senior football at one of Germany’s biggest clubs. But he’s also surprisingly nimble for such a tall player, and an accomplished ball carrier who has no trouble operating in tight spaces.
Schalke began relying on Ouedraogo to break through the lines in the first half of the season, and he’s very difficult to stop once in full flow because of his explosive pace and close ball control. He also wreaks havoc when receiving the ball on the half-turn and has a very direct style of play, with a mature head on his shoulders belying his tender age.
As previously mentioned, he is also a huge threat from corners, and has proven he can be deadly with either foot when he gets into shooting range. There is every chance Ouedraogo can become a great goal-scorer as well as a masterful all-round midfielder, and it won’t be long before he earns his first cap for Germany if he continues on his current trajectory.
However, as with any promising young player being tipped for superstardom, there is still plenty of room for Ouedraogo to improve. Defensively, he has struggled in his debut season, as he often gets caught out of position after pushing high up the pitch, leaving his team-mates exposed.
He will need to work on his awareness off the ball and his efficiency on it, as his decision-making can be quite erratic. He certainly doesn’t lack for technical quality, though, and he’s far more composed than most players in his age-group, which suggests he will quickly iron out the kinks in his game.
It could be that Ouedraogo would benefit most from staying in a lower division, at least for another year or two, so he is guaranteed regular minutes week after week, because sitting on the bench at one of Europe’s biggest clubs will only hinder his development.
Ouedraogo is a box-to-box midfielder in the same mould as World Cup winner Paul Pogba. He boasts the same physical attributes as the France international and is equally adept at changing direction quickly to open up space.
Pogba was a superior passer in his prime years at Juventus and Manchester United, but there is no reason Ouedraogo can’t reach a similar level. He also has a lot in common with Chelsea legend Michael Essien, who was unstoppable when driving out of defence and had a penchant for the spectacular.
Elite midfielders always want the ball and often drop deep to get it, and Ouedraogo is no different, which is why he has also drawn comparisons with former Liverpool and Real Madrid playmaker Xabi Alonso. But the Schalke midfielder is more of natural No.8 than a No.6, and he has the potential to be a difference-maker in games with his eye for goal and incisive passing range.
Schalke have Ouedraogo tied to a contract through to 2027, but they could have a real fight on their hands to keep hold of their prized asset beyond the summer. A move to the Premier League is likely to be a viable option for the teenage playmaker, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all reportedly eyeing a swoop for his services, while he’s also attracting interest from Bayern Munich.
According to reports in Germany, Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund has already spoken to Ouedraogo’s representatives, as the reigning Bundesliga champions are in the process of revamping their transfer policy with a focus on moulding future superstars instead of splashing big money on household names.
Geraerts is well aware of the speculation surrounding Ouedraogo’s future, and hopes to steer him in the right direction. “Assan is an outstanding player and a big talent, that’s certain,” the Schalke boss said last year. “There are many rumours surrounding his name, and the clubs he is being linked to, but that is normal in football. As a coach, it is the most important for me to have good conversations with him to ensure that he feels comfortable, and to guide him on his journey. We can’t forget that he is still very young.”
Schalke’s alarming decline has been mirrored by financial turmoil away from the pitch, and Ouedraogo may be better off seeking a new challenge in a more stable environment. AC Milan and RB Leipzig have also been linked with the youngster: two clubs that may also be able to offer him first-team football right away.
Whatever he decides, it’s clear that Germany have another diamond on their hands, and it will be fascinating to watch how he progresses, especially with the 2026 World Cup now looming large on the horizon.
Ouedraogo was born to Burkinabe parents in the German city of Mulheim, and has always had football in his blood. He is the son of former Charleroi and Koln midfielder Alassane Ouedraogo, who won 33 caps for Burkina Faso and played across multiple levels of the German football pyramid, including the Bundesliga.
Local side TuS Union 09 gave Ouedraogo the chance to start learning his trade, and at just eight years old he was drafted into Schalke's renowned Knappenschmiede academy. He then spent the next decade working towards a first-team breakthrough, and took a giant step towards that goal in the 2021-22 season, recording seven goals and eight assists in 15 appearances for Schalke's U17s to help them win the league title.
Ouedraogo became a key player for the U19s the following campaign, recording seven goal contributions in the Bundesliga West, and was rewarded with a spot in Germany's U17 squad for the 2023 European Championship, where he would go on to announce himself as one of the brightest talents on the continent.
Germany stormed to their first U17 European Championship title in 14 years last summer, and Ouedraogo played in five of their six matches, providing one goal and one assist. His solitary goal came in their thrilling 5-3 semi-final victory over Poland, as he left his marker with a clever piece of movement before leaping to head home at the back post, showing off his impressive ability in the air.
The final was a far more cagey affair as Germany and France played out a goalless draw after normal and extra-time, but Ouedraogo stayed on for the entire match, and had the courage to put himself forward to take his team's fifth penalty in the subsequent shootout. As fate would have it, France missed their final two penalties to leave Ouedraogo with the responsibility of winning the cup for his country, and he obliged in the coolest possible fashion, side footing the ball into the corner of the net after wrong-footing the goalkeeping.
It was a remarkable piece of execution from a special young player, and it convinced Schalke that he was ready for the step up to senior level. The German giants were relegated from the Bundesliga after a nightmare 2022-23 season, and head coach Thomas Reis decided to throw Ouedraogo in at the deep end for their first game back in the second tier.
At just 17 years and 80 days old, Ouedraogo became Schalke's youngest-ever player when lining up against Hamburg on July 28, and marked the occasion with a goal. The ball was knocked down to the teenager just inside the box, and he produced a brilliant low finish after casually side-stepping his marker - as if he were just taking part in a practice game.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1686393269381439488
He also broke Julian Draxler's record as the youngest scorer in Schalke's history, before going on to bag an assist, and although they went on to lose the game 5-3, he made a lasting impression on Hamburg boss Fritz Walter. “With Assan you have a real gem. Hats off! Good boy. A really good player," he said.
Ouedraogo featured in Schalke's next 10 league games, and earned widespread praise despite the team only managing to pick up three victories, with Karel Geraerts eventually drafted in to replace Reis in the dugout in October. Schalke legend Olaf Thon was among those blown away by the youngster's ability, as he beamed: "He has everything: game intelligence, speed, teamwork, goal threat and he can play the final pass."
Unfortunately, his momentum was disrupted due to a hamstring injury, and although he was still called up to Germany's U17 World Cup squad, Ouedraogo only made two appearances during his country's run to another major trophy. His tournament was cut short when he tore ligaments in his ankle, which kept him out of action for the next four months, and Schalke have sorely missed his presence while plummeting to 14th in the 2.Bundesliga table.
Ouedraogo stands at an imposing height of 6’3 (191cm), which has helped him easily adjust to the physical demands of senior football at one of Germany's biggest clubs. But he's also surprisingly nimble for such a tall player, and an accomplished ball carrier who has no trouble operating in tight spaces.
Schalke began relying on Ouedraogo to break through the lines in the first half of the season, and he's very difficult to stop once in full flow because of his explosive pace and close ball control. He also wreaks havoc when receiving the ball on the half-turn and has a very direct style of play, with a mature head on his shoulders belying his tender age.
As previously mentioned, he is also a huge threat from corners, and has proven he can be deadly with either foot when he gets into shooting range. There is every chance Ouedraogo can become a great goal-scorer as well as a masterful all-round midfielder, and it won't be long before he earns his first cap for Germany if he continues on his current trajectory.
However, as with any promising young player being tipped for superstardom, there is still plenty of room for Ouedraogo to improve. Defensively, he has struggled in his debut season, as he often gets caught out of position after pushing high up the pitch, leaving his team-mates exposed.
He will need to work on his awareness off the ball and his efficiency on it, as his decision-making can be quite erratic. He certainly doesn't lack for technical quality, though, and he's far more composed than most players in his age-group, which suggests he will quickly iron out the kinks in his game.
It could be that Ouedraogo would benefit most from staying in a lower division, at least for another year or two, so he is guaranteed regular minutes week after week, because sitting on the bench at one of Europe's biggest clubs will only hinder his development.
Ouedraogo is a box-to-box midfielder in the same mould as World Cup winner Paul Pogba. He boasts the same physical attributes as the France international and is equally adept at changing direction quickly to open up space.
Pogba was a superior passer in his prime years at Juventus and Manchester United, but there is no reason Ouedraogo can't reach a similar level. He also has a lot in common with Chelsea legend Michael Essien, who was unstoppable when driving out of defence and had a penchant for the spectacular.
Elite midfielders always want the ball and often drop deep to get it, and Ouedraogo is no different, which is why he has also drawn comparisons with former Liverpool and Real Madrid playmaker Xabi Alonso. But the Schalke midfielder is more of natural No.8 than a No.6, and he has the potential to be a difference-maker in games with his eye for goal and incisive passing range.
Schalke have Ouedraogo tied to a contract through to 2027, but they could have a real fight on their hands to keep hold of their prized asset beyond the summer. A move to the Premier League is likely to be a viable option for the teenage playmaker, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all reportedly eyeing a swoop for his services, while he's also attracting interest from Bayern Munich.
According to reports in Germany, Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund has already spoken to Ouedraogo's representatives, as the reigning Bundesliga champions are in the process of revamping their transfer policy with a focus on moulding future superstars instead of splashing big money on household names.
Geraerts is well aware of the speculation surrounding Ouedraogo's future, and hopes to steer him in the right direction. “Assan is an outstanding player and a big talent, that’s certain,” the Schalke boss said last year. “There are many rumours surrounding his name, and the clubs he is being linked to, but that is normal in football. As a coach, it is the most important for me to have good conversations with him to ensure that he feels comfortable, and to guide him on his journey. We can’t forget that he is still very young."
Schalke's alarming decline has been mirrored by financial turmoil away from the pitch, and Ouedraogo may be better off seeking a new challenge in a more stable environment. AC Milan and RB Leipzig have also been linked with the youngster: two clubs that may also be able to offer him first-team football right away.
Whatever he decides, it's clear that Germany have another diamond on their hands, and it will be fascinating to watch how he progresses, especially with the 2026 World Cup now looming large on the horizon.
