Bundesliga Stars of Tomorrow: Dayot Upamecano
RB Leipzig took the Bundesliga by storm in their maiden top-flight campaign, finishing second to champions Bayern Munich with the best ever points haul for a promoted team. Names such as Timo Werner, Emil Forsberg and Naby Keita became household ones, but according to veteran centre-back Marvin Compper, France Under 19 star Dayot Upamecano could be set to outshine them all.
“Dayot has everything needed to succeed in professional football,” said the defender, who moved to Scottish champions Celtic in January 2018. Eighteen-year-old Upamecano - who only joined the club in January 2017 from Austrian side RB Salzburg – earned high praise, especially towards the end of last season, proving a highly-capable replacement for the injured Willi Orban in the vital final stages of the campaign.
“I became a footballer to play in such (big) stadiums and in front of so many spectators. I am not a nervous guy; I am used to it. It was the same in France in my youth and now again in Leipzig.”
Want more Bundesliga Action?
"The powerful defender was not the only Frenchman to take the Bundesliga by storm in the 2016/17 season, and there are plenty more Gallic youngsters in Germany's top flight this term, including Corentin Tolisso, Kingsley Coman, Benjamin Pavard and Amine Harit.
Watch: Upamecano's rise from rural France to the Bundesliga
Upamecano’s name has also previously come into the European spotlight. Before joining Salzburg, the youngster had been speaking with the likes of Bayern, Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus. Despite the interest, he headed east to Austria and has since described it as “the best decision of my life.”
All this came in a rapid rise over two years, which included Upamecano being selected in the 2015 Under 17 European Championships Team of the Tournament, in which he helped France win the competition, beating Germany 4-1 in the final.
Like many young players before him, Upamecano’s move from Salzburg to Leipzig was the brainchild of sporting director Ralf Rangnick, who brought the teenager to Austria in 2015. Rangnick called Upamecano a “Wunderkind” when he joined in January, stating that “at his age, with his potential and playing style, he fits perfectly into our club and our philosophy.”
The hype has continually been justified throughout 2017/18, too, and a first professional goal against Augsburg on Matchday 22 underlined the strides the youngster continues to make.
Not often do defenders steal the show, but in Upamecano’s case, with his dominating style which is impossible to miss, Bundesliga fans, and strikers, would be wise to keep their eyes fixed on this young star.