Likening Konate to one of the best centre-backs in recent times may seem like a premature comparison. It’s not. There are few in the position who excel at so many aspects of the game as the young Frenchman.
Whether it be in terms of positioning, sticking tight to the striker, intercepting passes, tackling or building from the back, Konate cannot just do it all, he makes it look easy.
He has the pace to match the quickest of attackers and the physique to bully – rather than be bullied by – muscular strikers much more experienced than he is.
The Leipzig No. 6 wins 66 per cent of all tackles, a well-above-average quota that even rises to 81 per cent in the air. He can dribble out of defence or ping accurate long balls forward – averaging a 95 per cent accuracy rate. Even Van Dijk would be pleased with those numbers.
“I’ve developed well and I enjoy the style of play you encounter in the Bundesliga every week: it’s attack-minded with lots of pace and passion.” – Konate
He was hurt last season. He had a pretty serious muscle tear.
EDIT: as for cost, thats a great question. I’m guessing in the £35-£45 range. Maybe more bc it’s Leipzig. Likely similar to what Leicester paid for Fofana. All that said, I don’t think there’s any chance they’ll let Upamecano and Konate go at the same time.
Just wanted to say well played Nat Phillips. Looked strong, up for the battle, and won most of his aerial duels. It was a performance that gave a lot of hope that we will not be bullied back there while VVD is out. OK, not enough data to go on yet, and I’m sure we will go into the market in January for a defender, but fair play to Phillips.
“Calm as you like plays a bit like Virgil Van Dijk” 
