Dayot Upamecano scouting report: Arsenal target recovers after error as Leipzig setback raises transfer question
With every game they fail to win, RB Leipzig must fear they are edging closer to losing star defender Dayot Upamecano.
Plenty has been made about the centre-back's standout performances and the Frenchman produced two imperious displays against Tottenham in the Champions League in February and March.
The 21-year-old has attracted interest from Arsenal since last summer while Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich have also been strongly linked. With his contract set to expire in 2021 and a £52 million release clause written into his contract, Leipzig have a tough decision to make over his future.
With armchair scouts watching, Upamecano had very little to do in the 5-0 drubbing of Mainz on Saturday as Timo Werner's hat-trick put their opponents to the sword. But he generally looked comfortable in fulfilling his defensive tasks before coming off on the hour mark.
But having been picked to start against Hertha Berlin, Upamecano endured a moment to forget early on. Marvin Plattenhardt delivered a corner from the left and Upamecano was left flat-footed on the penalty spot as Marko Grujic, on loan from Liverpool, stabbed home with an improvised finish.
It was Upamecano's lack of awareness in that moment that allowed the Serbian midfielder to ghost in unannounced and swiftly recognised his error had led to the opener.
That early strike seemed to knock some urgency into the title challengers and they levelled through Lukas Klostermann's header from Christopher Nkunku's corner.
Such mistakes are not uncommon with young defenders, but what was striking was how Upamecano picked himself up. The France Under-21 international was a much more solid presence at the back in the second half, positioning himself in the channel to mop up any potential dangers and showed tremendous power and pace when chasing back towards his own goal.
The youngster was also assured in possession, dribbling out from the back - even beating Matheus Cunha with a clever piece of footwork on the edge of his own area - and showed a desire to gallop out from the back when Hertha were sitting deep.
However, despite his best efforts, 10-man Leipzig were held to a 2-2 draw. The hosts went down to 10 men when Marcus Halstenberg was sent off for a second bookable offence, but took the lead five minutes later when Patrik Schick's shot somehow squirmed underneath Hertha goalkeeper Rune Jarstein.
Julien Nagelsmann responded by taking off Timo Werner and switching to a more defensive-minded formation as he looked to see out the three points. But substitute Ademola Lookman conceded a penalty late on and Krzysztof Piatek slotted home to all but end Leipzig's title hopes - and potentially harm their chances of keeping Upamecano around for next season.
