How will Bayern Munich line up with Dayot Upamecano?

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:44 CDT
• 2 min read

Bayern Munich have completed an early piece of summer transfer business by capturing Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig.

Speaking to Bild, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic confirmed that Bayern had met the release clause in Upamecano’s contract. Moreover, he added that the France international has signed a five-year deal with the Allianz Arena side.

One of the reasons that Bayern acted quick so swiftly to tie Upamecano down – aside from the Premier League interest in him – is that they are likely to find themselves seeking significant defensive reinforcements over the summer.

David Alaba has already confirmed that he will depart the club when his contract ends in the summer, while the tendency is for veteran Jerome Boateng to leave, too.

Stripped of two experienced defenders, it was a logical move to sign the up-and-coming Upamecano.

How will Upamecano fit in at Bayern?

A veteran of more than 100 Bundesliga games with RB Leipzig, where Julian Nagelsmann is in charge, Upamecano is well versed in playing the type of pressing game that Hansi Flick practises.

Moreover, he is quick, powerful and technical able.

He is likely to find himself in competition with Lucas Hernandez and Niklas Sule for the centre-back slots, while fellow young Frenchman Tanguy Kouassi may make up the fourth of the rotation.

Lucas has typically been used as a left-back this season owing to Alphonse Davies’ injury issues, but next term, when he is the senior left-sided central defender available, he could find himself playing that role more regularly.

However, Upamecano has played on the left of a back three for Leipzig of late and could fulfil that duty.

That would free up Sule to play at right centre-back.

Such is the versatility of Lucas and Sule, though, both could slot into full-back roles, opening up a central spot for the other.

Upamecano may not have that degree of flexibility in his game, but Bayern’s options at centre-back are such that it won’t be an issue. Indeed, the Bundesliga champions have acted swiftly and decisively to close up a big void in their defence while catching their rivals flat footed.

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