RB Leipzig paid less for their entire backline – one of the Bundesliga’s most sturdy and resilient defences – than Manchester City did for winger Jack Grealish in August 2021.
RB Leipzig spent £86m on their defence, £14m less than Man City paid to sign Jack Grealish
Ahead of tonight’s Champions League Group G clash at the Etihad Stadium, we’re taking a look at the resounding difference in value between both sides – who have already earned automatic qualification into the knockout stages.
The Red Bulls have conceded just 12 goals in 12 league outings this season, making them the third-strongest defensive unit in Germany behind only leaders Bayer Leverkusen (ten) and second placed Bayern Munich (nine).
Since being founded in 2009, the Bundesliga outfit have enjoyed a meteoric rise towards the top of German football. They’ve finished as runners-up in the top-flight twice, as well as winning the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) twice.
Leipzig have become a staple of the Champions League in recent years. They reached the semi-finals in 2019/20 before being knocked out by PSG.
The likes of Timo Werner, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate, Konrad Laimer, Tyler Adams and Christopher Nkunku broke out as stars in their own right.
It’s probably fair to say the club is working with a less talented and experienced squad in 2023, but not one that is preventing them challenging for silverware.
Their entire back five (including goalkeeper) cost a significantly fewer amount than Manchester City paid to sign Jack Grealish two summers ago.
- GK: Janis Blaswich (FREE) from Heracles Almelo
- RB: Benjamin Henrichs (£15m) from Monaco
- CB: Mohamed Simakan (£15m) from Strasbourg
- CB: Castello Lukeba (£30m) from Lyon
- LB: David Raum (£26m) from Hoffenheim
📊 Josko Gvardiol vs Castello Lukeba (2023/24)
🇪🇺 #UCL #MCIRBL
👉 https://t.co/McR5zrPkTO pic.twitter.com/XgNiW7cweX— DataMB (@DataMB_) November 28, 2023
Were Manchester City wrong to splash a British record £100m to sign Jack Grealish?
When Grealish made the move to Manchester, he became the then-most expensive British footballer of all time and surpassed the £89m Manchester United paid to re-sign Paul Pogba in 2016.
Jude Bellingham’s transfer to Real Madrid (£115m) and Declan Rice’s move across London to Arsenal (£105m) have since overtaken Grealish.
In over two seasons with the Sky Blues, the 28-year-old has struggled with adapting to a new role – playing alongside some of the best talent in the game which involves sharing the ball more and essentially becoming a system player for Pep Guardiola.
It became a stark contrast for Grealish, who was the main man and poster boy for Aston Villa. However, this sacrifice has done nothing but bear fruit.
He’s a two-time champion of England, winning the Premier League with City in 2021/22 and 2022/23. He also lifted the Champions League earlier this year, the first in the club’s history.
Grealish also boasts an FA Cup winner’s medal in his quickly-growing trophy cabinet, which is undoubtedly on its way to being described as illustrious when he calls time on his career at City.
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