Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard has settled in quickly after joining from VfB Stuttgart in the summer transfer window.
There have been numerous changes at Bayern Munich this summer. The German club finally decided to start rebuilding the spine of the squad. Several senior players were released while five new faces arrived at the club during the summer transfer window.
The defensive area of the squad needed changes after Die Roten looked shaky at the back through the last season. Niko Kovac’s team managed to win the domestic double but always looked suspect at the back.
Benjamin Pavard was one of the two defensive acquisitions Bayern made this summer. The Frenchman was heavily linked with a move to Bavaria last summer, but he decided to stay one more year at VfB Stuttgart. Bayern eventually agreed to a transfer fee with Stuttgart in January to sign the young French defender this summer.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Pavard admits that things have gone smoothly for him in Bavaria. The French defender insists that he has settled in quickly at a big club like Bayern. He will always be indebted to Stuttgart for giving him the opportunity to play in the Bundesliga.
"“It was very good. I joined a world-class club that’s excellently structured so it was easy for me. Everyone made my life easier, the president, the staff, everyone.”“Bayern is a different dimension compared to VfB. Everything is bigger. But I have to thank Stuttgart again for everything. By the way, I still watch almost every game of them. VfB opened the door to FC Bayern for me, now I live in another world.”"
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Pavard also admitted that Niko Kovac played a crucial role in him settling quickly at the club. There is a great deal of trust between the player and manager. Pavard has been part of the starting lineup of all the three Bundesliga games.
The French defender’s versatility has been put to use by Kovac in the initial league games. Pavard featured in central defense against Hertha Berlin while he was deployed in the right-back position against Schalke and Mainz. He managed to get a goal and assist against Mainz in the last gameweek of the Bundesliga.
Lucas Hernandez and Niklas Sule are likely to be first-choice central defensive partnership under Niko Kovac. The Croatian likes Joshua Kimmich in the holding midfield role, so Pavard should be expected to play in the right-back position regularly this season. He still has to improve in the final third, but there is no doubt that he has the right attributes to be a top player for Bayern.
Pavard is determined to taste success in his debut campaign in Bavaria. The Frenchman will play a key role in Die Roten’s fortunes this season as they look to maintain the domestic dominance and achieve success in the Champions League. After a steady start to life in Bavaria, there is more to come from the French defender.