Poll Naby Keita

[rurikbird]

For the last few months we've been consistently linked to one of the most exciting young midfielders in the world, so I think it's worth to profile him a little bit.

Name: Naby Keita
Age: 22
Height: 172cm
Position: Central midfield
Country of birth: Guinea (18 caps)
Current club: RB Leipzig
Attacking stats: 8 league goals and 8 assists in 24 starts for Leipzig, 32 career senior goals overall
Disciplinary record: 6 yellow cards and no reds this season, no direct red cards in all of his career so far.
Kicker score: 2.72 (9th overall in the Bundesliga and 2nd to Thiago among CMs)

Some press quotes from the Echo:

Keita has most often been deployed as one of the defensive two in Red Bull Leipzig’s 4-2-2-2 formation, although he has also played further forward at times. He has grabbed eight goals and seven assists in 24 Bundesliga starts this season. Because of his stature, he has been compared to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kanté, but this comparison is misguided. The Guinean is more attack minded than Kante, and could be the perfect hybrid needed in Liverpool’s midfield.

Keita is supremely gifted with the ball at his feet, averaging a remarkable 2.9 completed dribbles per game this season. Comparing this to potential competitors for his position at Anfield, Jordan Henderson has 0.2, Emre Can 0.6 and Gini Wijnaldum 0.7. As well as his dribbling, Keita has proven he can break lines with his creative passing. While he completes less passes and a lower percentage of his passes than Henderson, Wijnaldum and Can, he makes more key passes than all three. He is a risk-taker, which has earned him seven assists this season. Keita has also scored an impressive range of goals this season, including a long range strike against Freiburg and a Messi-like run in the recent win over Mainz.

On top of his contribution going forward, Keita’s defensive influence can not be underestimated. He has managed an impressive 2.6 interceptions per game in the league this season. Kanté has 2.2, while Henderson has 1.7. His strength and low centre of gravity make him nearly impossible to dispossess, which would aid the Reds in European competition, where many opposition teams will look to press the midfield.

And from ESPN:

It would be hard to find a more complete midfielder in Europe these days, because Keita is an uncanny, almost unbelievable, mix of N'Golo Kante, Luka Modric and Franck Ribery.
On paper, he plays in a holding position at Leipzig, and very few midfielders make more tackles and interceptions than him. He is also responsible for building the play from behind with delightful through balls and wise distribution. All that doesn't stop him from bursting forward and taking on defenders. In fact, only Dortmund's Ousmane Dembele -- an out-and-out winger -- has completed more dribbles per game than Keita. With an average of 2.9, he leaves the likes of Ribery and Arjen Robben far behind.
Given such range of skills, it is easy to understand why he was nicknamed Deco in his homeland as a kid.

The Deco connection is not accidental. Keita actually changed his middle name (not sure if he did it officially, but it is this way on the social media) to Deco and he clearly models his game after the Brazilian-Portuguese playmaker (and apparently dreams of playing for Barcelona). He also seems to follow a clear plan in terms of his career development, declaring last year that it was "too early for me to join a Champions League club" and also seems to be a loyal type, having followed former Schalke manager Ralf Rangnick from RB Salzburg to their sister club in Leipzig.

One more thing to note is the recent health scare:

RB Leipzig's Guinean striker [sic] Naby Keita insists he has totally recovered from a circulatory collapse he suffered after a Bundesliga match earlier this month and will be fit to face Darmstadt this weekend. "I've fully recovered," the 22-year-old told AFP subsidiary SID. "I could and I would like to be able to start Saturday's game, but it is up to the coach (Ralph Hasenhuttl) to decide."

Medical exams have revealed nothing on the origin of Keita's collapse following Leipzig's 1-0 defeat by Wolfsburg on March 11. One of the Bundesliga's revelations this season can now only speculate about the reasons behind it. "I had not slept correctly the night before the game, I had neither drunk enough water nor without doubt eaten enough to endure the strain of a Bundesliga match," Keita said.

Many newspaper articles have mentioned that Keita is at the top of Klopp's list for CM additions this summer. Other clubs who are reported to be interested are Arsenal (Wenger spoke to Keita personally last year before he decided to join Leipzig) and Spurs. The only monetary figure that has been floated around was £26M.

Finally, here's a decent Youtube video that shows a range of his qualities:

 

[KopRed]

Will he be involved in the ACN?

 

[rurikbird]

Will he be involved in the ACN?

Hard to predict, because Guinea is not one of Africa's stronger teams and doesn't always qualify for the final tournament. They didn't qualify in 2017, but did in 2015. He only played 4 national team games last year and none this year.

 

[Ryan]

I watched a few RB games over the last few months, and this guy sticks out like a sore thumb. He's electrifyingly good, so clearly we won't be signing him.

 

[YNWA]

Leipzig might not be allowed to play CL next year. Could affect their ability to hold on to him for next year. Also him and Mane have the same agent looking after their interests, which might help us in getting the deal done.

RB Leipzig rose from Germany's fourth tier to the Champions League in four years but could be banned by UEFA as Austrian sister club Red Bull Salzburg close in on qualification

• RB Leipzig have secured Champions League qualification via the Bundesliga
• However, RB Salzburg are likely to do likewise via the Austrian Bundesliga
• The pair were founded and constructed through investment from Red Bull
• UEFA regulations dictate that no two clubs run by the same body or financed significantly by the same investor may compete in Europe at the same time

By Kit Holden for MailOnline

On Saturday, the bullpen was opened. The gate is swinging on its hinges, and the beast which has rampaged through German football in the last few years is about to be set loose on Europe.
With a 4-0 victory over Freiburg, RB Leipzig secured their place in the Bundesliga top four and qualification for the Champions League. Six points from their last five games would be enough now to secure direct qualification.
It is just the latest development in Leipzig's astronomical, Red Bull-financed rise. In 2013, the club were still in the fourth tier. In 2017, they will emerge on to Europe's biggest stage.


However, for their fans there is a possibility that they could be banned from European football
Or will they? For months now, a question mark has hung over Leipzig's qualification for Europe. Questions over the role of their main sponsor Red Bull and their relationship with sister club Red Bull Salzburg have thrown the club's compliance with UEFA rules into doubt.
In a worst-case scenario, Leipzig could be denied a licence to play in European competition, or be hit by sporting sanctions. UEFA's lawmakers may yet succeed where RB's Bundesliga rivals failed, and destroy their Champions League dream.
So how likely is that turn of events? And why are Leipzig in trouble in the first place? Sportsmail has the lowdown.

And that's due to sister club RB Salzburg are closing in on Champions League qualification too

The problem for RB is that they are effectively part of a footballing franchise. They are one of several clubs founded and constructed through investment from Red Bull. In next season's Champions League, they could theoretically be pitted against their Austrian counterparts Red Bull Salzburg - who currently sit top of the Austrian Bundesliga and therefore would qualify for Europe too.
UEFA regulations, however, dictate that no two clubs which are effectively run by the same body or financed significantly by the same investor may compete in European competition at the same time.

 

[Hansern]

Bayern are interested in him though, that may end our chances of getting him if Leipzig decides to sell.

 

[keniget]

Well, we've proven a pretty good route into Barca / Real over the years.

Sounds like we don't have a shot at getting him.

 

[dmishra]

What about Tielemans? Weren't we linked with him too recently?

 

[hmmmmm1]

If we get top 4, we will probably sign him.

 

[Holle]

He's Bayern bound.

 

[737Max]

Bayern signed Rudi from Hoffenheim. Not sure if they'll want to add yet another midfielder to their ranks. Of course I could be wrong

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk

 

[Hansern]

Xabi is retiring, but with the recent comments from Ragnick I dont think its a given that he'll end up at Bayern.
Will be a battle to sign him though. Without CL footy we dont stand a chance.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

What about Tielemans? Weren't we linked with him too recently?

I read somewhere he may end up at Monaco ... perfect 'launching pad' for his career.

 

[rurikbird]

I watched a few RB games over the last few months, and this guy sticks out like a sore thumb. He's electrifyingly good, so clearly we won't be signing him.

What did you think of his teammates Forsberg and Timo Werner? @Ryan

 

[Brizzle]

Nice video - i like that his first instinct looks to be to carry the ball forward and beat a man.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Looks like the type of player Southampton buy for 15m then we buy off them for 40m the following season.

 

[Brizzle]

Looks like the type of player Southampton buy for 15m then we buy off them for 40m the following season.

Agreed he does look a bit like Wanyama and Mane 😉

 

[Kay Age El]

Keita will NOT end up at Soton and he'll demand a fee way higher that £15M should he be moved on. Looked a pretty phenomenal player this season and will be difficult to sign for anyone.

Forsberg would be an upgrade on Lallana imo but I am not so sure how we'd accommodate the pacy, yet rather small forward Werner. He needs a big guy beside him and would potentially be wasted on the wing. I am not sure Klopp needs him.

Actually, I am not even sure Leipzig will sell any of their star players, they don't have to and are sitting 2nd in the Bundesliga. They will play in the ChL next season for the first time and more or less all of their key players have been with them since 2nd Bundesliga why I guess they are a pretty homogeneous group. I guess we will have to look elsewhere or spend insane amounts.

 

[Red Bird]

Keita will NOT end up at Soton and he'll demand a fee way higher that £15M should he be moved on. Looked a pretty phenomenal player this season and will be difficult to sign for anyone.

Forsberg would be an upgrade on Lallana imo but I am not so sure how we'd accommodate the pacy, yet rather small forward Werner. He needs a big guy beside him and would potentially be wasted on the wing. I am not sure Klopp needs him.

Actually, I am not even sure Leipzig will sell any of their star players, they don't have to and are sitting 2nd in the Bundesliga. They will play in the ChL next season for the first time and more or less all of their key players have been with them since 2nd Bundesliga why I guess they are a pretty homogeneous group. I guess we will have to look elsewhere or spend insane amounts.

You sure about that?

 

[rurikbird]

Keita will NOT end up at Soton and he'll demand a fee way higher that £15M should he be moved on. Looked a pretty phenomenal player this season and will be difficult to sign for anyone.

Forsberg would be an upgrade on Lallana imo but I am not so sure how we'd accommodate the pacy, yet rather small forward Werner. He needs a big guy beside him and would potentially be wasted on the wing. I am not sure Klopp needs him.

Actually, I am not even sure Leipzig will sell any of their star players, they don't have to and are sitting 2nd in the Bundesliga. They will play in the ChL next season for the first time and more or less all of their key players have been with them since 2nd Bundesliga why I guess they are a pretty homogeneous group. I guess we will have to look elsewhere or spend insane amounts.

Forsberg an upgrade on Lallana? That's a pretty bold statement. A bit of scandinavian bias, perhaps?

Timo Werner is 181cm, same height as Firmino. Didn't see him all that much, but he seems to be an orthodox #9 who can lead the line on his own.

 

[rurikbird]

From a couple of weeks back:

 

[doctor_mac]

Yeah, we're not going to sign him, are we?

 

[Hansern]

We are. This one is happening.

 

[Buddha]

There's a lot of noise about Keita being Klopp's preferred midfield target and he's not yet in the top tier fee/wages-wise.

Ergo we might just get this one done.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

If we sign him, who does he replace? Hendo? Gini? Lallana? He'll be coming to start - he's an ambitious young lad with "Barcelona" as his career target.

 

[Kay Age El]

I see a Wini/Keita partnership bossing everything and everyone.

 

[doctor_mac]

Their manager says he wouldn't swap him for Pogba. Which is kinda saying give me 90m and I'll think about it.

 

[Kay Age El]

Forsberg an upgrade on Lallana? That's a pretty bold statement. A bit of scandinavian bias, perhaps?

Timo Werner is 181cm, same height as Firmino. Didn't see him all that much, but he seems to be an orthodox #9 who can lead the line on his own.

Have you seen Forsberg much?

Far more creative and 'effective' in the final third compared to Lallana imo. Work as much and is three years younger.

Ha, Werner is taler than I thought I would be surprised still if he was a Klopp target for the striker position. I am sure we are searching for a Lewandowski type of player.

 

[peekay]

Based on the way posters here have described him, he seems like a perfect young midfielder. Is there a clause in his contract? Does he or Rangnick have a Klopp connection?

Even with a clause in his contract and if Rangnick is close to Klopp, I see our chances as limited, if he is as good as you all are describing.

 

[choperman.v01]

RB Leipzig have been steadily spending over the years to get to where they are, and might continue to do so until they've won a title. A window of opportunity might open in these couple of years for a new 1.Bundesliga champion as Bayern enters a transition phase with several of their stars aging and/or retiring. While they are always acquiring new talents, there's no guarantee that the transition will be perfectly smooth straightaway, which could then give an opportunity to a team that has been preparing itself to pounce. Already, RB Leipzig has given themselves a confidence boost and perhaps given Bayern a little system shock with their strong performance this season; I'm not sure they'll actually end up selling any of their coveted players if they think they have a great chance.

I could be wrong though and they tear up the squad in the summer. 😉