Take a look at this list: Timo Werner, Naby Keita, Dayot Upamecano, Patrik Schick, Ibrahima Konate, Marcel Sabitzer, Christopher Nkunku, Josko Gvardiol Dominik Szoboszlai and Konrad Laimer.
Granted, it’s a list of some good players and some very good players – some of whom have thrived more than others (and for some, perhaps the best is yet to come).
But the purpose of the list is to show some of the names that RB Leipzig have sold in the last five years alone.
It really is an example of how a Bundesliga club, which has made incredibly quick progress in a short space of time, is seemingly unable to keep hold of its star men.
With that in mind, it was easy for me to predict why they won’t be contenders for the Bundesliga at the start of this season.
So in answer to the question I was asked: Can they rediscover their attacking prowess and challenge for the title?…the answer is no.
Yet that is far from a criticism.
For this is a club which has enjoyed back-to-back German Cup wins, delivered plenty of Bundesliga highlights and are currently fourth – a comfortable six points clear of their nearest rivals in the race for a top four spot.
Real Madrid also await in the Champions League last 16.
That is certainly a position most clubs in Germany would take.
So where have Leipzig come from?
Well, their success has been built on a combination of shrewd investments, smart recruitment and an innovative playing style.
It is a rise which has been met with both admiration and criticism. Some see them as a refreshing new addition to German football, while others view them as a symbol of everything that’s wrong with modern football and a threat to the integrity of the sport.
Whatever your opinion, there’s no denying that their success has been significant and has challenged the traditional power structures of German football.
Their history began as recently as 2009 when the Austrian energy drink company Red Bull acquired the playing rights of fifth-tier German side SSV Markranstädt. They rebranded the team as RB Leipzig and their journey began. Various promotions followed and, in 2015, after just one season in the 2. Bundesliga, RB Leipzig won promotion to the top flight where they have since established themselves as a top team.
The investment from Red Bull has been crucial to RB Leipzig’s success. They have been able to attract top players and coaches, as well as invest in state-of-the-art training facilities and a modern stadium. The club has also made strategic acquisitions, such as the signing of sporting director Ralf Rangnick, who helped build the team’s foundation for success.
While the investment from Red Bull has undoubtedly helped RB Leipzig, the team’s success cannot be solely attributed to money. They have also built a strong team culture and developed an innovative playing style that has made them a formidable opponent for any team in Europe.
RB Leipzig’s rise in German football has been a remarkable story, and their impact has been felt throughout the country. As we look to the future, it’s clear that RB Leipzig will continue to be a force to be reckoned with. With a strong squad, a talented coaching staff, and the backing of Red Bull, they have all the ingredients for continued success.
The key question now is, can they keep hold of their star men to challenge for domestic dominance?
This week has seen them bid farewell to one of their favourite sons.
Emil Forsberg is heading to New York Red Bulls with the second most appearances for the club behind Yussuf Poulsen.
He still showed he can deliver on a one-off occasion when he spearheaded their victory over Hoffenheim, scoring one and having a hand in another to help them to victory in his final home game for the club.
That was before Forsberg led RB Leipzig out in his final game on Tuesday as they drew 1-1 with Werder Bremen.
It meant Forsberg finishes his career with the Saxony side after 325 competitive appearance with 71 goals and 71 assists.
He departs as a fans’ favourite and, while at the age of 32, he is not leaving at his peak, he is another player who will be missed, like so many before him.
As a result, don’t put your money on RB Leipzig as title contenders any time soon – the SBOTOP Bundesliga betting odds agree with me and they are rarely wrong.
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