Jürgen Klopp has not even named his first Germany squad and already his new era has run into trouble.
RB Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouédraogo is a major doubt for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against the Netherlands, Greece and Serbia after suffering a fresh shoulder injury in Leipzig’s 5-0 win over Hamburg on Sunday, according to Foot Mercato.
The 20-year-old started the match but lasted only 35 minutes. One collision with Albert Grønbæk, one awkward landing, and his afternoon – and possibly his international breakthrough – was over.
He left the pitch in clear discomfort. Leipzig’s concern was immediate.
The timing could hardly be worse. Klopp is due to announce his first Germany squad next Thursday, with the former Liverpool manager expected to inject youth and energy into a side still searching for a new identity. Ouédraogo, one of the standout young midfielders in the Bundesliga, had every chance of being part of that reset.
Inside Leipzig, alarm bells are ringing. The club fear the problem is linked to the same shoulder injury that kept Ouédraogo out for the whole of last August.
“I think it's the same injury. Things don't look promising. We need him. He is an amazing talent, both for Germany and for our club,” he said.
Those words cut to the heart of the issue. This is not just a setback for Leipzig’s season; it threatens to delay a player widely seen as a long-term pillar for the national team.
Since joining Leipzig in 2024, Ouédraogo’s progress has been repeatedly interrupted. Injuries have stalked his young career, costing him more than 380 days on the sidelines already. Just as he begins to build rhythm, another blow arrives.
Early indications suggest he may again face several weeks out. For Leipzig, that means reshuffling a midfield built to lean on his dynamism. For Klopp, it likely means starting his Germany tenure without one of the most intriguing young options in the pool.
The new national team project was supposed to showcase fresh faces and bold ideas. Now, one of the brightest candidates is back in the treatment room, and Germany may have to wait a little longer to see what Ouédraogo can really become.
