Assan Ouedraogo: Profile, playing style, scouting report

The youngster is a product of the Schalke Academy

Assan Ouédraogo is the son of former Burkinabé international Alassane Ouédraogo. He is a product of the Schalke Academy – one of the best youth systems in the Bundesliga and Germany. Last season, he was an absolute star of the title-winning Schalke U-17. Despite his age, he’s already one of the leaders of Die Königsblauen under-19 team. He is considered to be one of the most talented teenagers in Germany. In 2023, Assan was a very important member of Die Mannschaft at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, where Germany won the gold medal.

Past Experience

Ouédraogo began his career with TuS Union 09 Mülheim, spending three years before a move to Schalke 04 in 2014. Ouédraogo marked his professional debut in the 2. Bundesliga with a goal; being named as a surprise starter in the away game against Hamburger SV. Ouédraogo has represented Germany at under-16 and under-17 levels. At the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, he scored the winning penalty as Germany beat France 5–4 in a penalty shoot-out victory in the final. His parents are from Burkina Faso, and he remains eligible to represent the African nation.

Assan Ouedraogo's Stats

He made nine appearances in U19-Bundesliga West where he scored four goals and provided two assists, played four matches in DFB-Pokal der Junioren and scored three goals there as well. In the 21-22 season, his performance was really good as in fifteen matches he netted seven times and provided eight assists. This season he made his Bundesliga 2 debut where he scored a goal.

Type of Player

He is a box-to-box midfielder with good playmaking skills. Very versatile and intelligent player who can play in various positions and roles in the midfield. A tall player with a great body mass ratio, physical strength, power, and natural fitness who feels comfortable in contact situations. He has a very good pace over longer distances and decent agility for a player of his size. He knows how to create dynamism in the team’s build-up process by using his natural verticality, good vision, and passing ability at all distances. Brave and confident player able to go on lung-bursting runs through the middle of the park.

Extremely difficult to knock off the ball thanks to his strength, ability to shield the ball, and technique. His creativity and passing skills allow him to provide some last-through/killer passes near or even inside the 18-yard opponent’s box. Makes many important tackles and interceptions thanks to his anticipation, ability in 1v1 duels, astute positioning, and intelligent use of his frame.

Similar Type of Player

If we compare his skillset it is very much similar to French International Paul Pogba. A creative player with superb technical ability, 1vs1 short-dribbling skills, close ball control, and fast direction shifts in possession just like Pogba. Intelligent player with good positional sense and understanding of the game who finds the space well between the lines