He averages 4.6 interceptions per 90 minutes and closer to 6.5 tackles per 90, which showcases his constant presence on the pitch.
Rarely outwitted in the Austrian Bundesliga, his proficiency when reading opposition movement makes his task of winning the ball back that much easier. Overall, Laimer’s football intelligence and his reading of the game are his best qualities.
Natural stamina could partially attribute to this, but Laimer also understands when and how to harry defenders, which allows him to follow protecting the defensive line with a burst of highly intensive pressing in the middle of the park. He is both everywhere on the pitch and constantly involved in the run of play, and as energetic in the first minute as he is in the 90 th. Too technical to be categorized as a box-to-box midfielder, yet too defensively-minded to be considered an attacking midfielder, Laimer is a specialist’s nightmare. versatility run amok, Laimer, for better or worse, clearly fits into the latter mold. While arguments about player specialization vs. Coupled with the opportunities that could be presented with a move for Keita, Laimer could be on Leipzig’s team sheet sooner rather than later.Īs the situations stands, however, the Austrian central midfielder is poised to help maintain Die Rotten Bullen’s winning form, play style, and structure in the 2017/18 campaign as they push for a more hefty swing at the Bundesliga title. Without attempting to add much more fuel to the fire, Laimer does look the part for developing quickly at Leipzig, a club where attaining and nurturing talented youth is an absolute priority. Many are attempting to guess that Laimer is the long term replacement for Keita should a move materialize for the latter this summer, and that’s not a terrible comparison to make.