The Bavarian giants looked formidable en route to their treble winning campaign in the 2019-2020 season, but that have not been the case this time around as their standards have somewhat declined in recent weeks.
Hansi Flick’s men were knocked out of the DFB Pokal last week by Bundesliga 2 side Holstein Kiel on penalty shootouts as neither side could break the 2-2 deadlock after 120 minutes.
Die Rotten conceded 32 goals in their entire title-winning campaign last time out, but they have already shipped out 25 goals in just 16 games this season – more than any other side in the top six.
Due to their recent predicament, Babbel, who featured for Bayern Munich during his playing days, has urged the European champions to solve their defensive problem by signing the French defender.
“You have to think about something in the defensive area,” Babbel told Sport1. “He [Upamecano] can help, those responsible must think of him.”
“The defenders need to be better, the goals conceded could be prevented. As a coach, I expect the central defenders to do better. The defenders have to learn again to recognize the danger earlier.”
Upamecano was widely linked with a move away from Leipzig last summer with big European clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all said to have yearned to sign the former Liefering defender, but the 22-year-old chose to remain at the Red Bull Arena.
