Overview
- Former U15 coach Sven Schuchardt said Saïd El Mala was undersized and not competitive at that level when Gladbach let him go in 2021.
- The 19-year-old has four goals and two assists in his first nine Bundesliga appearances and is labeled the league’s top super-sub.
- Gladbach sporting director Rouven Schröder noted academies aim to feed the first team but acknowledged outcomes vary, citing El Mala and Jens Castrop.
- Köln travel to Borussia-Park for the Rhein-Derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday evening.
- El Mala is under contract with 1. FC Köln until 2030.