By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Leipzig's central defender Dayot Upamecano might have been unaware of the entire consequences of a crucial moment back on February 9.
The 21-year-old French international had just removed all remaining doubts about his quality level when leaving no space for one of the world's best strikers such as Robert Lewandowski.
In the arena of Bayern Munich, his side RB Leipzig had achieved a noteworthy goalless draw against the ruling German champion.
His club might have gained another point in the title race; for the 2015 under-17 European Champion, it opened doors to Europe's best clubs.
Due to an exit clause worth 60 million euros, the defender has turned into a primary target of Bayern and several Premier League sides such as Arsenal.
Compared to Liverpool's icon Vergil Van Dijk and the young Jerome Boateng by German media, "Upa's" departure after this season is said to be a done deal.
"Upamecano is one of the best defenders in Europe," German record international Lothar Matthaeus commented. The 150 capped 58-year-old said the sort of pace to rival the savviest forward and the energy to quickly shift his 1.86-meter 88-kilo frame into high speed makes him a perfect match for Bayern.
"But there are strong competitors from England in the race," Matthaeus said.
His team-mates Timo Werner and Yussuf Poulsen, praise him as the fastest center-back hard to get behind for any striker.
"I haven't seen a faster center back. Dayot has an incredible physique. He can reach the same level as Jerome Boateng one day," German top scorer Werner emphasized. Danish Poulsen calls him "fast, clever, and good in the challenge."
His former coach Ralf Rangnick asked experts to name four better center-back. "If there are any, I want to see them," Rangnick stated.
It appears improper to reduce the 21-year-old Evreux-born professional to his man-mountain physique and young age. Having played in midfield and as a forward, in his early years, Upamecano stands for vital skills supporting his side's forwarding game.
Having caused the interest of several top sides in 2015, the French joined Austrian RB Salzburg despite a bargain like fee of 2.2 million euros. Since then, he has been subject of controversial debates at Bayern why the club had turned a nearly fixed deal five years ago?
French youth coach Jean-Claude Giuntini is fond of his attitude as "he loves defending and getting off the ball of opponents."
Upamecano remembers his first steps in football back in his home town northwest of Paris in the department of Normandy. With no school around, "we turned our heads to the local pitches." Living aside from several determined young footballers, "we had big tournaments in a little arena," the right-footed performer says, adding: "We gave all for hours."
One of Europe's most gifted wingers, Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele, is until today one of his closest buddies. Before joining Leipzig, he was looking for advice from his friend. "He told me; they are going to count on you."
While Leipzig seemed the perfect choice at that time, the defender might soon do the next step. His figures speak for themselves as he in 66 percent of his challenges (81 in the air) is ending up as the winner.
