With Taylan Bulut and Assan Ouedraogo, Schalke 04 has two great talents in its ranks. Knappenschmiede boss Mathias Schober has spoken about the two U17 internationals.
The past 2022/23 season was a successful one for FC Schalke 04’s Knappenschmiede. Even if the big titles did not come this year, the Königsblauen performed well.
The U23s safely and carefree managed to stay in the league. The U19s were unlucky to lose the DFB Cup final 4-3 after extra time to 1. FC Köln and, in third place, only just missed out on the final round of the German championship. And the U17s became West German champions and qualified for the semi-finals of the German championship, where they were defeated by eventual champions Arminia Bielefeld in two games. Onur Cinel’s team also won the Westphalia Cup.
On schalke04.de, Knappenschmiede boss Mathias Schober summarised the season and also already gave a preview of the new series. “We are well positioned in all age groups – also in the years before the performance and transition areas,” said Schober. “Together with good reinforcements, we then want to play for titles again in the performance and transition areas – but the personal development of the boys remains the most important part of our work.”
He is particularly proud of the two European champions Assan Ouedraogo and Taylan Bulut, whom they will continue to develop. “Good examples are Assan Ouedraogo and Taylan Bulut, who won the U17 European Championship in Hungary last Friday. Both players were able to gain valuable match practice at a major tournament and put their names in the final goal scorers list,” Schober explained. “In addition, Assan, as an U17 senior, has already played the season with the U19s, while Taylan was also part of the senior team in the final phase as U17 captain. Each of these experiences will help the boys as they move forward. “
Take the example of Soichiro Kozuki, who we signed for the U23s last summer. Since his transfer, he has developed outstandingly. Only five months passed until his first Bundesliga goal at the end of January.
Mathias Schober
Then he pointed out a circumstance that could become very important in the near future. “It’s nice that they continue on this path here at Schalke thanks to long-term contracts,” Schober said. Taylan Bulut is tied to S04 until summer 2025, Assan Ouedrago’s contract even runs until June 2027. One may be curious when the two big talents will be considered for the professional squad.
But it is also a good sign that players make the leap up via the U23 diversions, he said. “That is very important to me. Take the example of Soichiro Kozuki, who we signed for the U23s last summer. Since his transfer, he has developed outstandingly. Only five months passed until his first Bundesliga goal at the end of January,” Schober clarified. Another example is Henning Matriciani, who has just extended his contract until 2026 and is now an U21 international.
Since the last relegation in 2021, the Knappenschmiede is the only department in the club that has been exempt from financial cuts. The path taken seems to be paying off.