Patrice Evra has no doubts about Dayot Upamecano’s quality.
The Bayern Munich center-back has faced plenty of criticism throughout his career, particularly because mistakes at the back tend to receive far more scrutiny than errors in other areas of the pitch. But Evra believes Upamecano has shown that he belongs among the elite and that Vincent Kompany can help take his game to another level.
Specifically, when asked is Upamecano was a “top five center-back”, Evra did not hesitate.
“Yes, yes, 100%. He had a lot of criticism because as a centre-back, when you make a mistake and two or three people don’t forgive you. But did you see the World Cup, even the first game? He’s a great centre-back and Kompany is not crazy. I don’t think he will let him go and he will make him one of the best centre-backs in the world again. I believe in the quality of Upamecano. He’s strong, he’s really confident when he gets the ball. I love Upamecano,” Evra told Stake on behalf of Bavarian Football Works.
That last part is especially important.
Upamecano has the physical tools, athleticism and confidence in possession to be a dominant modern center-back. The question has always been consistency. If Kompany can help him eliminate the costly mistakes and maintain the level he has shown at his best, Upamecano could absolutely make a legitimate case as one of the best center-backs in the world.
And Bayern Munich clearly believes there is another level still to come.
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