Benjamin Pavard settles debate over preferred position at Bayern Munich
Benjamin Pavard opens up about his preferred position in the starting XI at Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich made big signings last summer to improve the defensive department of the squad. Benjamin Pavard was one of the two high profile defensive signings that arrived in Bavaria to shore up the leaky defense.
The Frenchman was heavily linked with a move to Bavaria since winning the World Cup with France in 2018. Pavard decided to stay one more season at VfB Stuttgart before taking the next step in his career. Die Roten decided to move swiftly to seal the deal in January last year, but the player completed the move in summer.
Pavard has enjoyed a fairly decent debut season in Bavarian colours. The Frenchman was a regular member of starting XI under Niko Kovac. Hansi Flick continued to pick Pavard after Kovac parted ways with the club in November.
The French defender has primarily played in the right-back position for most of the season. Speaking to Sport1 this week, Pavard admitted that he would like to play in central defense more often. However, the 24-year-old defender is ready to play in any position the coach wants him to play.
"“When I’m on the pitch, I’m happy – whether as a right-back or a center-back. Apart from that, I prefer to play in central defense.”“Overall, I see myself as a defensive player who can be used flexibly. I think it’s very important and helpful for a coach that I can play in all four positions in defense.”"
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Die Roten decided to move Joshua Kimmich in midfield after failing to sign a number six last summer. The German midfielder brought more balance to the midfield, forcing the managers to persist with him in this position. Kimmich’s positional change made sure that Die Roten played Pavard in the right-back position.
Despite severe injuries to Niklas Sule and Lucas Hernandez, Pavard had to play in the right-back position due to lack of options in this role. Hansi Flick publicly requested Die Roten to sign a right-back in the winter transfer window. The club caved in for the coach’s demand by signing Alvaro Odriozola on a six-month loan deal from Real Madrid.
Odiozola has started only one game since arriving from Madrid. It is highly unlikely that Die Roten will sign him permanently in summer. Bayern will have to look somewhere else to add more cover in this position.
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Pavard is also open to this addition in summer as he believes that extra competition helps the squad to perform even better. The French defender has been consistently delivering 7/10 performances every week. He needs to improve in the final third, but one can hardly complain about his first season in Bavaria.