RB Leipzig’s French under-21 centre-half Dayot Upamecano has long been considered as one of Europe’s most coveted and talented young defenders. With a whole host of clubs looking at defenders who are well versed in building attacks from the back, the RB Leipzig defender is a fantastic model of that trait.
It’s no wonder why the most elite clubs in Europe are ally vying for his signature. Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City and Bayern Munich are all rumoured to be interested in the player.
However, they will all have to wait with RB Leipzig reportedly tying him down to a contract extension.
Here’s a profile of the young defender:
Who is Dayot Upamecano?
Born in Evreux, France. Upamecano is a product of the Valenciennes FC. After attracting the interest of some huge clubs including Manchester United, the defender joined Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2015 for a reported fee of around €2.2 million. He was in-fact close to joining United only for the deal to eventually break down over some promises that United failed to deliver for the youngster.
After featuring 17 times for RB Salzburg, the French youngster moved across the Red Bull chain to RB Leipzig in January 2017, joining on a 4-and-a-half year contract for a reported €10 million fee. Ever since then, the defender hasn’t looked back. Becoming the fulcrum of an impressive Leipzig side which has gradually progressed season-by-season since his move in early 2017.
His early impressive performances was rewarded with him being shortlisted for the Golden Boy award in 2018. Upamecano has also represented France at every youth level, and has registered 14 caps for the under-21 side, showcasing is excellent promise and steady progression.
This season, Upamecano has featured in 29 appearances for RB Leipzig. He’s also started 6 of Leipzig’s eight Champions League games en-route to their first ever quarter-final spot after their emphatic 3-0 win over Tottenham in the last-16 second-leg tie.
So, how has Upamecano impressed?
Dayot Upamecano is a bulldozer. A freight train, however you wanna refer to him. The French under-21 international has been a mainstay in the RB Leipzig defence ever since his move from RB Salzburg. In a season where Leipzig have contributed one of the meanest defences in the whole division, Upamecano has been a key part of that.
It’s not only Upamecano’s power and size that sets him apart, but his extraordinary abilities to play the ball out from the back with his passing, reading of the game and also the unique knack of dribbling his way out of trouble. His dribbles also contributes to Leipzig’s expansion in attack, its because of his effective dribbles that the whole team can be relieved of pressure and form an attack. The Frenchman is the perfect ball-playing centre-half. The defender dribbles past opponents more times per90 (1.36) than he gets dribbled past (0.83).
In an era where a ball-playing role from centre-half is the regular trend in Europe, Upamecano holds all the attributes needed to fit into simply any top team on the continent.
With a pass completion rate of almost 90%, the Frenchman has also completed more tackles than any of his Leipzig teammates, averaging 2.2 tackles per 90 in the Bundesliga and an astonishing 3.2 in the Champions League. He’s also so far registered almost two interceptions per game in the Champions League and also the most clearances in both competitions.
Upamecano’s pace is also a frightening component of his game. More than capable of matching it with Europe’s quickest forwards. It’s a weapon which allows him to recover well and also him to quickly recover from any potential mistakes. Team mate Timo Werner heaped high praise on the defender, claiming that the Frenchman has all the tools to become as good as Jerome Boateng. Also stating that the defender holds an “unbelievable physique”.
The defender is also a destructive force in the air too. Per game, he averages two aerial duels domestically as well as 2.5 in the Champions League.
There are indeed a few things the defender can work on, such as his acts of petulance at times and discipline, he’s picked up 6 yellows cards this season and was sent off against Paderborn in matchweek 30 for throwing the ball away. Also, the defender can be susceptible to the odd lack of concentration, he’s able to recover well which means he’s well capable of getting himself out of trouble.
It’s understandable to place this weakness down to his young age, but if he is to reach the top, these are the improvements he needs to address and that will indeed come with age.
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